283 Kenyan Died In Middle East Countries Within Last 3 Years, Govt Discloses

• Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore said 185 out of 283 deceased Kenyans in the Gulf region were reported in Saudi Arabia
• The CS disclosed that between 2020 and 2022, a total of 98 Kenyans died in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates
• According to the Labour CS, most of the deaths were attributed to illness and homicide, adding that the next of kin were notified

Nairobi - Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore has tabled statistics on Kenyans who have died in the Gulf countries within the last three years.

185 died in Saudi Arabia

During a weekly question time session in parliament, the CS disclosed that 283 Kenyan migrant workers lost their lives in the Middle East within the last three years, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"The total number of reported deaths in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in the last three years is 283," CS Bore said.

According to the statistics, 185 Kenyans died in Saudi Arabia, 45 in the UAE, and 53 in Qatar during the period under review.

In terms of the causes of death, the Labour CS said illness and homicide contributed to most of the deaths.

"The causes of death range from illness to homicide and the next of kin were appropriately notified of the reported deaths through the established channels," she added.

The CS pointed out that most Kenyans in the Middle East have been having a challenge accessing medical services because of their residency status.

"It should be noted that for Kenyans to get medical attention in the kingdom, their residency status should be legal, and those who have vacated their contracts face challenges in accessing these benefits," the CS stated.

Konoin MP Brighton Yegon had sought to find out the number of reported deaths, torture and inhumane treatment of Kenyans in the Gulf countries in the last countries.

Alfred Mutua's directive on Middle East travels

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua directed that no Kenyan would be allowed to travel out of the country as a domestic worker without fulfilling set requirements.

Mutua made the directives after he travelled to Saudi Arabia to discuss issues facing Kenyan immigrant workers offering their services in the Middle East and foster bilateral talks.

The CS claimed that most of the issues faced by Kenyans could be traced back to a flawed and corrupt system.

"Listening to the victims, agents, Kenya Government officials and Saudi Government officials, it is clear that the problems facing some our people start back home in Kenya. The system is flawed and corrupt and unless it’s fixed, nothing will change," he explained.