Emotions ran high in Kilimani on Wednesday as domestic workers took to the streets to protest the death of their colleague, Zaitun Kavaya, under circumstances they termed suspicious.
The demonstrators, mostly women, carried placards and banners demanding justice while chanting and blowing whistles to draw attention to their plight. Others waved twigs — a traditional symbol of mourning and resistance — as they wept openly, calling for accountability and stronger protections for domestic workers.
Kavaya, who had been employed as a house help, died on Thursday, September 18, after allegedly jumping from the fifth-floor balcony of an apartment block in Kilimani. Police say the incident occurred shortly after she was recalled to the residence by her employers to answer questions over missing cash.
Records from the visitors’ logbook indicate Kavaya had clocked in at 10:47 a.m. and clocked out at 1:17 p.m. before being summoned back. Within hours, she was reported dead.
Her relatives, however, have strongly disputed claims of suicide, insisting that the case be investigated thoroughly. They maintain that Kavaya’s sudden death raises serious concerns that cannot be brushed aside.
Police have since arrested four Sudanese nationals — a mother, her two daughters, and a son — in connection with the incident. They remain in custody as investigations continue. Authorities have been granted 10 days to conclude inquiries into the matter.
The protest highlights the growing vulnerability of domestic workers in Kenya, many of whom face harsh working conditions with little protection. The demonstrators urged the government to enact stronger labor laws and ensure justice for Kavaya, whose death they believe symbolizes the broader struggles faced by domestic workers across the country.
As the investigation unfolds, the call for justice remains loud and clear from the streets of Kilimani, with mourners vowing not to relent until Kavaya’s family receives answers.
