The Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh has called on parents and guardians living in Saudi Arabia to present children without valid documentation for registration and consular support.
In a statement on December 10, the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh said the exercise is aimed at ensuring that all Kenyan children in the Kingdom receive appropriate assistance and that their records are appropriately updated.
“The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Riyadh kindly informs Kenyan nationals residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that parents or guardians with children who are currently without valid documentation are encouraged to visit the Embassy for registration and consular support,” read part of the statement.
The mission thanked the community for its cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kenyans residing in Saudi Arabia.
This comes after alarming reports that hundreds of Kenyan mothers and their undocumented children remain stranded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the streets of Riyadh and Jeddah.
Undocumented Children In Saudi Arabia
The New York Times report revealed that some of the women and their children sleep outdoors or in informal shelters, with groups gathering near a gas station in Riyadh’s Manfooha district, rumoured to be a deportation point.
Some of the mothers said they are forced to tie their children to trees near gas stations while they search for odd jobs to survive.
However, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Kathure Njogu, said the government is aware of the concerns and outlined ongoing interventions.
Also Read: Kenyan Workers in Saudi Arabia to Receive a Minimum Salary of Ksh34,455
The PS explained that although Kenyan law provides a clear framework for registering births abroad, the process is complicated for single mothers in Saudi Arabia because of local legal restrictions.
She noted that under Saudi law, “pre- or extramarital sex is illegal, and carries severe penalties, including arrest, imprisonment and/or deportation,” which leads many women who conceive out of wedlock to avoid hospitals and deliver at home with unqualified midwives.
Also Read: Govt Issues Way Forward on Kenyan Mothers Stranded in Saudi Arabia
Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh Conducts Mass Registration for Huroob Nationals
Additionally, on November 30, the embassy also announced that mass registration for Kenyan nationals under the Huroob status is currently underway.
Huroob is a legal status in Saudi Arabia that applies when an employee is deemed to have absconded.
This can trigger fines, exit bans, and complications for future work permits.
Eligible Kenyans were advised to apply for the processing of an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC). Applications can be made with or without a passport, provided the applicant holds any valid Kenyan identification document, such as:
- National ID
- Birth Certificate
- Copy of Passport (if available)
- Driving License
- Huduma Card
The initiative aims to assist Kenyans in distress and facilitate their safe return home.
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