The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has responded to a distress call regarding a Kenyan woman who is reportedly stranded and being mistreated in Saudi Arabia.
This response follows a video shared by X user Harry Kabuti, which showed the woman, identified as Elizabeth Nyambura, lying on the floor.
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Kabuti also shared her Google Maps location, indicating she resides in Masarrah, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
In the video, seen by The Kenya Times, Nyambura appears to be talking but her voice is inaudible, and she shows signs of distress.
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“She is in Saudi Arabia she’s locked in a room mistreated no food; she has been beaten. They were not able to take the phone away from her. She can’t talk,” Harry Kabuti said.
In response to the video, the Diaspora Ministry stated that it is investigating the matter in line with its mandate of protecting and engaging with Kenyans in Diaspora.
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“Hallo Harry, we have picked up the matter. Concerned division notified,” reads the statement.
Death Reports in Saudi Arabia & Other Gulf Countries
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi earlier July disclosed that 316 Kenyan citizens have lost their lives while working in Gulf countries since 2002.
According to official records, Saudi Arabia has the highest toll, with 166 Kenyan deaths. This is followed by Qatar with 58, the United Arab Emirates with 51, Iraq with 25, Bahrain with 10, and Kuwait with 6.
The CS further stated that there are currently 416,548 Kenyans in Gulf countries but cautioned that the number could be higher as some Kenyans do not register with their missions abroad.
According to the data, there are 310,266 Kenyans in Saudi Arabia, 66,025 in Qatar, 23,000 in the UAE, 8,000 in Bahrain, 5,392 in Oman, 3,515 in Kuwait, 200 in Iran and 150 in Iraq.
Also Read: 316 Kenyans Killed in Gulf States Since 2002 – Mudavadi
Mistreatment of Kenyan Workers
Kenyan workers are among these migrants, seeking better employment opportunities and higher wages due to limited job prospects at home.
Despite the high number of international migrants, the International Labour Organization (ILO) sets various employment standards, including freedom from forced labor, safe and healthy work conditions, and freedom from discrimination.
However, Kenyan domestic workers in the Middle East often report poor working conditions.
These issues include working up to 60 hours a week, exceeding the ILO’s standard of 48 hours, as well as harassment, sexual exploitation, violence, inadequate responses to distress situations, and restricted communication.
Also Read: Ex-NMG Journalist Pleads with Kenyans Again as Son’s Execution Nears
Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary and ex-CS for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Alfred Mutua, attributed the mistreatment of Kenyan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States to the un streamlined recruitment agencies in Kenya.
“Listening to the victims, agents, Kenya Government officials and Saudi Government officials, it is clear that the problems facing some our people start back home in Kenya. The system is flawed and corrupt and unless it’s fixed, nothing will change,” said Mutua.
“There is massive corruption in the way Kenyans are prepared before they leave to be domestic workers in Saudi Arabia and follow up of Kenyans when they arrive. This is a major concern to all of us, including the Government of Saudi Arabia.”
In February, former Labour CS Florence Bore introduced a toll-free number for workers to report any distress.
Workers can use the toll-free number 0800 222 223 or access the distress reporting form online at www.neaims.go.ke.
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