Nakuru family appeals for help as woman goes missing in Iraq

Onesmus Musyoka and his two daughters, aged 17 and eight, have lived in anxiety since September last year following the mysterious disappearance of his wife in Iraq.

In search of greener pastures, Lucy Muthoni, 37, was recruited by Al-Adwaa Recruitment Agency for a hairdressing job that she was to take up in Turkey.

“My wife left Kenya in February 2023 with my blessings. She was to work in Turkey. The agency took her and others to Iraq instead, though for the same job,” said Musyoka.

Musyoka explained that Muthoni had signed a contract for two years with the agency that secured her a job at a salon owned by an Iraqi businessmen.

“She worked at the salon for eight months, during which she was determined to make savings, which she sent to me. Her boss then abruptly closed down the business and took her back to the agency’s office in Iraq,” he said.

The mother of two was kept at a holding house by the agency for three months, after which her former employer approached and offered her another job as a house girl.

“She accepted the offer, though she informed me the wife of her boss had been threatening to harm her. In September 2024, I received a call from someone who identified himself as a police officer saying my wife had been arrested,” he said.

The alleged officer claimed that the spouse of Muthoni’s boss had her arrested for reportedly stealing a mobile phone.

“In October, I received a call from the same police station informing me that she had been acquitted of the charges and that she had been freed from their custody,” said Musyoka.

The police officer advised Musyoka to make arrangements for her return to Kenya, which was her wish. “I had no chance to communicate with my wife all this while, even after she was released from custody. I tried to contact the agency but they never gave me answers on where my wife was,” said Musyoka.

The father of two reported the matter to the National Social Protection Authority in Nairobi, hoping that the agency would be compelled to assist in Muthoni’s repatriation.

“I was referred to the Diaspora Consular, who advised me to make a formal report through email, which I did on October 31, 2024. They acknowledged receipt of the email without offering much hope,” he said.

The distressed man said the Diaspora Consular verbally informed him that tracing his wife in Iraq would not be an easy task.

“They told me that Kenya does not have an embassy in Iraq and that they depend on other diplomatic missions in nearby countries or Kenyans based in Iraq,” said Musyoka.

When reached for comment, the agency, through a representative who only identified herself as Sheila, claimed that Muthoni escaped from her employer’s residence.

“The employer picked her from the police and was to take her back to our office but she escaped,” said Sheila.

Musyoka, however, says he doesn’t believe the agency’s narrative, as his wife has never contacted him since then.

“My wife wanted to come back to Kenya. If indeed she escaped, she would have contacted me for assistance to return home,” he said.

He added that their daughters keep questioning him about their mother’s whereabouts.

“She loved our children. When all was well, she called them every morning and evening. I am appealing to the government to help me trace my wife, especially for the sake of our children,” he said.