Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua says no Kenyan will be allowed to travel out of the country as a domestic worker without fulfilling a set requirements starting on Monday, 7th November 2022.
Mutua revealed the ministry will issue new procedures to inform clearance of Kenyans traveling abroad as domestic workers, as part of a slew of measures to protect Kenyan workers in Saudi Arabia.
“To this end, as an immediate short-term venture, we’ll be issuing new procedures which will have to be followed before we grant clearance for any Kenyan to travel as a domestic worker to any country,” he said.
The new CS, who is on a two-day visit to the country, announced the formation of a joint Technical Team of Kenyan and Saudi Arabian government officials to expedite labor issues, including the issuance of exit visas, beginning next Thursday.
The deal follows talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs His Highness Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud, and a team from the Ministry of Labour, led by Saudi Vice Minister of Labour Abdullah Nasser Abuthnain.
Mutua stated that an emergency hotline number has also been set up at the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh.
“I have also met and spent hours listening to Kenyans living and working in Saudi Arabia. I have also had the pleasure of meeting young babies of our Kenyan mothers…..We have dedicated an emergency hotline for Kenyans in Saudi Arabia to call when facing any difficulties. The emergency hotline number at the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh is +966500755060” he said.
The CS said the rights of all workers will be enforced by laws of Saudi Arabia and Kenya.
According to Mutua, the ministry is working on modalities to get Kenyan Labour agencies offices in Saudi Arabia to deal with issues concerning their clients.
“We have also agreed to ensure compliance by agents and others when it comes to the provision of healthcare to Kenyans, including those who are in the country illegally,” he said.
Mutua stated that any workers in need of assistance will receive it immediately, including assistance from the Saudi government.
“The idea is to ensure every Kenyan works and lives a fulfilling life,” he said.
The former governor stated that he had requested Amnesty for Kenyans who were in the country illegally, legalization of their documents for those who were unable to access medical care, and passage for others to return home.
The Kenyan government is also sending more personnel to the Riyadh Embassy to help with the process of legalizing Kenyans who are out of status, as well as processing travel documents and other necessary tasks.
