Close to 100 Kenyans have died in one of the Middle East countries in the last two years according to the latest data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. Majority of the victims have died under mysterious circumstances amid allegations of rape and torture in the foreign countries. This came as the CS for Labor Simon Chelugui announced that he would be flying out to Saudi Arabia to meet his counterpart to resolve the rising cases of mistreatment among Kenyans. In the last couple of years, tens of Kenyans who had gone to seek greener pastures in the Middle East have been flown back in coffins while others have returned with harrowing stories of torture.
But according to Chelugui, the Ministry was keen to resolve the incidents by making sure that those who flew out registered with the relevant embassies. The CS noted that many of the job seekers had not registered with the Kenyan Embassies making it near impossible to track them in case of a crisis. “We have lost 97 Kenyans in one of the Middle East countries due to various reasons and we are keen to address these cases,” he said. Addressing the press after meeting the ministry’s officials in Naivasha, Chelugui pointed an accusing finger at those Kenyans who were failing to abide by the law and their contracts. “Those who fly out should abide by the laws of the particular countries and make sure they understand the terms and conditions of their contracts,” he said.
He defended recruitment agents in the country noting that currently there were 420 and all of them had been vetted before getting their licenses. Chelugui admitted that unemployment was pushing young illiterate women to the foreign countries but was quick to note that they should not submit themselves to torture. “Many of the young women are illiterate and some people are taking advantage of this but I shall accompany various State officers for a fact finding mission in Saudi Arabia,” he said. The CS at the same time announced the ministry was working on child care reforms in the wake of Covid-10 pandemic where hundreds of minors had been abused. Chelugui said that some of the reforms included moving away from children homes to foster homes while addressing the rising cases of violence against women. “The latest report by DCI indicate that we have lost 497 people to suicide since last year with the youngest been nine years old and its time we protect these minors,” he said.