Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh Responds To Allegations Of Abandoning Kenyans
The Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has released a formal statement in response to a video circulating on social media in which many Kenyans claim to have been abandoned at the Saudi Manpower Solutions Company (SMASCO) lodging complex.
In a statement issued Saturday evening, February 14, the foreign office dismissed the charges as baseless, saying that Kenya had a good working relationship with SMASCO.
“The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Riyadh takes note of a video circulating online, alleging neglect and misconduct in assisting Kenyans at the Saudi Manpower Solutions Company (SMASCO) accommodation centre,” a statement from the embassy read.
“The Embassy wishes to clarify that these claims are unfounded.”
Furthermore, the embassy stated that SMASCO was a licensed organization functioning legally in Saudi Arabia.
https://t.co/SZO33ghXu3
— Kenya Embassy, Riyadh (@KenyaRiyadh) February 14, 2026
STATEMENT BY KENYA EMBASSY RIYADH ON THE POST CIRCULATING IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ON THE PLIGHT OF SOME KENYAN NATIONALS AT SMASCO
The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Riyadh takes note of a video circulating online, alleging neglect and…
The organization primarily provides workforce and support services and is regarded as a go-between for Saudi employers and foreign workers, many of whom are Kenyan.
Over the last few days, the corporation has been under fire as many videos emerged on social media of Kenyans fleeing from their workplaces to the embassy in an attempt to return home.
In one of the films, a woman describes how she went to the embassy while ill, but the embassy allegedly refused her assistance.
The woman claims she went on strike to force a move out of Saudi Arabia, but the embassy expressly ignored them.
“We have the embassy’s contacts. I have been here for weeks and when we try to contact the embassy, once they hear we are seeking repatriation, they ignore us,” an individual in the video said.
However, in response, the embassy reaffirmed that SMASCO operates inside the regulatory framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and hence is subject to government inspection.
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Further, the embassy reiterated that it maintains a structured and ongoing engagement with the company to safeguard the welfare of Kenyan nationals housed at the company’s accommodation facility.
According to the statement, this is done through weekly visits by embassy officials to check on the well-being of Kenyans.
As far as repatriation is concerned, the mission highlighted recent efforts, stating that between July 2025 and January 2026, it facilitated the return of over 2500 Kenyans back to their home country.
Despite dismissing claims made in the video, the embassy said it would verify the allegations during its routine visits.
Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh Responds To Allegations Of Abandoning Kenyans
