A Kenyan domestic worker identified as Joy has reportedly collapsed and died while playing football with her employer’s child in Saudi Arabia, sparking reactions on social media. A video circulating online shows Joy playing football with the child inside a sitting room before she suddenly collapses.
During the game, she is seen touching her chest several times, prompting concerns among social media users that she may have been experiencing discomfort before the incident.
The footage has generated widespread reactions, with many expressing sympathy for the deceased and questioning whether she was exhausted or experiencing a medical emergency before she collapsed.
Some social media users have also called for an autopsy to establish the cause of her death. However, as of the time of filing this report, the circumstances surrounding the incident and the exact cause of death had not been independently verified.
The video, which has attracted significant attention online, was shared by an Instagram blogger identified as Sorosokegossip.
Reacting to the footage, an Instagram user, @warriabino1, expressed sadness over the incident, suggesting that Joy appeared to be experiencing discomfort during the game.
“She needed to rest. She was holding her heart but didn’t want to speak out. I don’t know why… too sad,” the user wrote.
Another commenter, @the_karim_ken, raised concerns about the experiences of Kenyan domestic workers in Gulf countries, urging people with relatives working in the region to remain vigilant.
“So many Kenyan nannies in the Gulf have come back to Kenya as cargo. Something is wrong in Gulf countries. If you have relatives there, kindly advise them to be extra vigilant and not stay there for long,” the user commented.
However, @uiime2 offered a different perspective, explaining that playing with an employer’s children was not necessarily part of a domestic worker’s formal duties in Gulf countries.
“My dear, here in the Gulf, it’s not part of a domestic worker’s job to play with the kids. She only does it for fun. Most households have separate rooms for their domestic workers, and we treat them like members of the family,” the commenter stated.
Similarly, @fideliaoka4 suggested that Joy might have been tired but continued playing with the child.
“Looks like she was tired and exhausted, but she kept on playing with the boy 😢 just to please them,” the user wrote.
Another commenter, @kindnessgcfr, pointed to the moments when Joy appeared to touch her chest during the game.
“Hmmm, so sad. She could feel it herself. She was trying to be conscious. She felt and touched her heartbeat several times. She was panting but still wanted to play with the boy. So sad 😢,” the user remarked.
Meanwhile, @realjoyce____ used the incident to remind people of the importance of rest and personal well-being.
“Whatever you do in this life, try and get a rest 😢. Don’t kill yourself trying to please others 😢,” the commenter wrote.
While the footage has prompted questions about Joy’s condition before her collapse, the cause of her death remains unconfirmed. The circumstances surrounding the incident would need to be established through reliable information and, where appropriate, medical findings.
The incident has also renewed online discussions about the welfare of migrant domestic workers, their working conditions and the importance of ensuring that workers can rest and seek medical attention when they feel unwell.
Watch the clip below;
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