Kenya’s Foreign Ministry Reveals Number Of Work-Related Deaths Reported In Saudi Arabia
On Wednesday, July 10, Foreign Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi presented alarming statistics to the Senate, revealing that 316 Kenyans have tragically died while working in various Gulf countries over the last 12 years.
This revelation sheds light on the difficulties faced by Kenyans seeking employment abroad, particularly in countries such as Saudi Arabia, where more than half of these deaths occurred.
Saudi Arabia leads the list with 166 reported fatalities, followed by Qatar (58), the United Arab Emirates (51), Iraq (25), Bahrain (10) and Kuwait (6).
Musalia Mudavadi: The records we have show that the total number of Kenyans who have lost their lives in the Gulf region is 316.
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) July 10, 2024
Saudi Arabia:166
Qatar: 58
United Arab Emirates: 51
Iraq: 25
Bahrain: 10
Kuwait: 6
Oman: 0
Iran: 0 pic.twitter.com/pjtdagluyX
Despite these harrowing figures, Saudi Arabia remains a primary destination for Kenyan workers, with over 80,000 domestic workers in 2022 alone, according to the Labour Ministry records.
Geoffrey Kaituko, the Labour Principal Secretary, previously told a Parliamentary Committee that over 170,000 Kenyans are currently employed in various Gulf states, highlighting the extent of Kenyan migration to the region.
However, in response to the Senate, Mudavadi revealed that 416,058 Kenyans are working abroad.
In response to these tragic incidents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed comprehensive measures to assist the families of the deceased.
When notified of a death, the Ministry contacts both foreign and local stakeholders, including employers and recruitment agencies, to gather critical information and identify next of kin.
The Ministry’s Counseling Department then provides psychological support to bereaved families in Kenya, as well as facilitates the preparation and repatriation of the deceased’s remains.
This includes coordinating with Kenyan embassies in the Gulf to verify immigration status, obtain necessary repatriation documents, and arrange for postmortem reports, as needed.
Mudavadi emphasised the Ministry’s role in advocating for justice in cases where the cause of death is being investigated, as well as managing expectations for financial assistance.
He noted, “Government resources are limited when it comes to covering medical bills and repatriation expenses.”
Furthermore, the Ministry works to recover benefits and entitlements owed to the deceased from their employers in accordance with local laws.
These initiatives seek to provide some comfort to grieving families in the midst of the complicated aftermath of these tragic losses.
Kenya’s Foreign Ministry Reveals Number Of Work-Related Deaths Reported In Saudi Arabia
