Kiambu Mum of 2 Flying to US Narrates Being Deported During Layover in London: "Sijui Kuliendaje"
- Margaret Muthoni Njoroge was over the moon to finally travel abroad, becoming the first person in her family to break the barrier
- She gave away everything she owned as she focused on the future, the American dream, unaware of what lay ahead
- Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, the mother of two narrated how tides turned against her at Heathrow Airport in London
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A young lady from Kiambu county has opened up about how her dream to go to the US was shattered.
Source: Original
Margaret Muthoni Njoroge had been looking forward to travelling abroad in search of greener pastures for her family.
She was thrilled to be the first person in her family to board a plane and travel overseas, especially to the US.
How long did it take Muthoni to get US visa?
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, the mother of two said her friend connected her with an agent who helped her with the process.
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"We started the process of me going to America with my agent, and it didn’t even take long. It went on for only one month, and I got my visa. I hadn’t told my family members that I was going. I told them at the last minute, when I already had my visa and only two weeks were remaining before my departure. They were happy for me," she recalled.
When Muthoni finally boarded the plane, her excitement was overwhelming.
She claimed she could stand in the plane, hardly believing she was actually on one, travelling to another country.
What happened to Muthoni at Heathrow Airport?
When they arrived at Heathrow Airport, Muthoni was not prepared for what was about to unfold.
"We stood in a queue. When I was being checked, I was asked to stand aside. I did not know why, and I was not given a reason. I was told I could not leave. I asked them what was wrong, and they told me they didn’t know, but I should leave London and go to the Kenyan embassy. I was confused. My bag had already arrived in Boston, America.
I went to that guy over five times. He told me to go to the embassy or return to Kenya," she recalled.
How long did Muthoni stay at Heathrow Airport?
Muthoni was stranded at the airport for two days, adding that she neither ate anything nor changed her clothes.
She slept on a chair, noting that no one approached, harassed, or questioned her during her time there.
"I met a mzungu man and asked him why I had been told not to proceed. He told me he worked at the Kenyan embassy and would check it out for me. He told me everything was okay. He excused himself for a minute to make a phone call. After the call, he told me he could not help me. He did not say why, yet he had just told me my visa was okay and even showed me that it was valid. I cried so much," she narrated.
What was Muthoni told at US embassy?
Back home, Muthoni, who previously worked at Kenya Power, had already given away her household possessions, including her clothes.
She returned to Kenya to start from scratch, still without a valid explanation for what had happened to her dream.
"When I came back to Kenya, I went to the embassy. I got an appointment and presented my case. I was told they had sent me an email stating that my visa was cancelled. I never received any email. I never got any notification. Until today, I have no idea what really happened, honestly," she said.
Source: Original
Kenyans react to Margaret Muthoni's plight
Muthoni's plight touched many netizens, and here is what some had to say:
Mum Marcella Wambui said:
"Everything happens for a reason. Maybe you could've not been alive today to tell the story. Shukuru mungu kwa kila jambo."
Jane Njeri said:
"It's good to keep quiet until you succeed."
Vanice Nyagesuka said:
"She knows what happened."
Why did Samuel Kang'ethe leave US after 16 years?
Separately, a Kenyan man chose to leave the US voluntarily after 16 years to avoid arrest and deportation.
Samuel Kang’ethe had spent close to two decades in the US building a family and his career in Michigan.
All was well until an unresolved immigration case made him think and act fast before being deported.
He made the tough and life-changing decision to leave the only home his family knew.
Racheal Nyaguthie, HoD Human Interest, updated this article with reactions.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
