CS Mutua Responds To Working Conditions For Kenyans In The Gulf
Alfred Mutua, the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, has issued a preliminary reaction to Amnesty International’s report on the fate of Kenyans in some nations.
On May 13, Amnesty International published a study detailing the terrible exploitation, racism, and abuse experienced by Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia.
The report, titled Locked in, Left Out: The Hidden Lives of Kenyan Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia, exposes that women face harsh working conditions, forced labour, and human trafficking.
Today we launched "Locked In, Left Out" report β exposing the harrowing experiences of Kenyan women working as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia.
— Amnesty Kenya (@AmnestyKenya) May 13, 2025
They left home seeking opportunity. What they found was abuse, isolation, and exploitation.#LockedInLeftOut pic.twitter.com/JNyid1APsF
The investigation shed light on the secret predicament of Kenyan women, whose labor supports families at home and contributes to Kenya’s economy through remittances, despite facing horrific human rights violations overseas.
Mutua acknowledged receipt of the report, saying, “We are studying the report and comparing it to available information in our hands and we will issue a comprehensive response in due time,” he said on X.
ππππππππ ππ πππππππππππ ππ πππ π πππ ππ πππππππ πππππππ ππππππππ
— Dr. Alfred N. Mutua (@DrAlfredMutua) May 15, 2025
We have noted the Amnesty International Report on the fate of Kenyans in some countries. We are studying the report, published on May 13,2024, and comparing it⦠pic.twitter.com/vH6h9FNkqT
The study describes pervasive verbal abuse, sexual assault, and racial prejudice.
Women reported being called insulting names like “monkeys” and “animals,” as well as being segregated within their bosses’ homes.
One survivor said, βBecause of my dark complexion, I was always called a Black animal. The children would also come up to my face to point and laugh, saying how I am a monkey.β
According to the report, the women often work a minimum of 16 hours each day without overtime pay and earn around $240 (approximately Sh31,00) every month.
Some companies postpone or withhold salaries entirely, despite the fact that some women are never granted a day off during their two-year contracts.
According to the research, workers frequently sleep in cabinets or on the floor without suitable bedding.
The research criticizes Saudi Arabia’s kafala sponsorship system, which allegedly bonds workers to their employers and promotes exploitation.
Mutua stated that as they continue to review the report before publishing a thorough response, the ministry would like to highlight a few key points.
βAt the heart of the abuse lies a labour system underpinned by historical and structural racism, where racialised migrant domestic workers β including Black African women β are dehumanised and treated as disposable,” Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton said.
βThey Left for Work. They Found Abuse.β
— Amnesty Kenya (@AmnestyKenya) May 14, 2025
In search of employment, Kenyan women travelled to Saudi Arabia as domestic workers β only to be met with exploitation, racism, and violence. Locked inside homes, stripped of their passports, denied food, rest, and pay β many enduredβ¦ pic.twitter.com/47dYV6SlRc
Irungu condemned the systemic racism and exploitation underpinning these abuses.
ALSO READ:
- “Don’t Attack Public Infrastructure!” – IG Kanja Asks Kenyans, Issues Orders To Police
- “NO MORE NIL TAX RETURNS!” – KRA Tells Kenyans, Introduces New Changes
- Eliud Owalo Blasts Ruto Gov’t, Demands EACC & DCI Investigations Into Fake Sugar Scandal
- President’s Office Releases 2026 National Holidays Calendar, Names Host Counties
- Kenya Goes After British Oil Giant Over Hundreds Of Deaths In The North
According to Mutua, Saudi Arabia remains a popular destination for workers from all over the world who work contentedly in a variety of fields.
“We continue to engage with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia authorities through diplomatic channels to have all our mutual issues addressed,” Mutua stated.
He stated that the administration is sure that together with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, they would be able to handle the issue of domestic workers.
Many Kenyans continue to go to work contentedly in other sectors of competence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is known for being a good employer.
CS Mutua Responds To Working Conditions For Kenyans In The Gulf
