School-Leaver at 11, Domestic Slave at 12, Gang Member at 15: how a Missing Birth Certificate Derailed a life
Source:https://www.msn.com/
Esther, now 20, recalls her childhood in a poor neighborhood of Nairobi, where school provided an escape from her difficult home life. Living in a tin-roof house near an open sewer, she faced boredom and uncertainty while her mother, Mueni, struggled to find work. In 2014, a requirement to present birth certificates for national examinations became a significant barrier for Esther, as her estranged father held her certificate. Her mother faced bureaucratic challenges in trying to obtain a new one, ultimately leading to Esther’s withdrawal from education.
A recent UN report highlights the issue of lack of documentation affecting women, rural families, and individuals with low literacy, depriving them of essential services like education and pushing them into informal work. Esther faced repeated expulsions from school for not having her birth certificate and, disheartened by her mother’s struggles and their worsening financial situation, decided to drop out at age 11, despite her mother’s objections. She later ran away from home, seeking work as a housekeeper for a family that had promised to treat her well, but instead ended up overworked and unpaid.
At 12, Esther began working for a family that promised to treat her like a daughter and pay her £17 (3,000 Kenyan shillings) a month. However, they soon overworked her and withheld her pay, arguing that her living there should negate the need for compensation. Esther recounted working from 3 a.m. until late at night, often feeling too sick to continue, yet not allowed to rest. Her treatment was filled with contempt; she had to prepare her own meals separately and was sometimes beaten for minor delays, leaving her humiliated and hurt. Reflecting on her situation, Esther expressed that if she had stayed in school, she might have avoided such abuse.
While there is no current data on the number of child domestic workers in Kenya, it is believed to be a significant contributor to child labor, with children as young as seven being forced into work due to poverty. A 2023 study highlighted that many face physical abuse and are denied access to their earnings. Although schools are required to investigate absences, rights groups argue that dropout cases, particularly in poorer areas, often go unchecked, leaving children vulnerable to labor exploitation.
Esther, feeling socially isolated after being sidelined by her former school friends, eventually fled from the family that had stopped paying her. Homeless, she was introduced by an older domestic worker to a gang of street men who promised better financial prospects. At 15, Esther began transporting drugs and weapons for the gang, as girls were less likely to attract police suspicion. The gang provided her with clothing and covered her expenses, keeping careful records of her work hours. She decided to leave the gang after witnessing violence, including the shooting of two members and the arrest of another.
Esther was initially forced to work for a gang, but when she tried to leave, they threatened her life. She escaped and found work as a maid for a family, but was then abused and sexually assaulted by the family’s son. When she tried to report the assault, the family accused her of lying and physically abused her. Esther was hesitant to contact the police because she was working illegally and lacked proper identification documents. Esther was eventually rescued by a charity organization, which enrolled her in a hairdressing course and is trying to help her find stable employment. However, Esther’s lack of a birth certificate continues to limit her options, as it prevents her from obtaining a national ID card needed for work and starting a business.
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