More than 300 Kenyans who travelled to Saudi Arabia in search of employment have been forced to return home after authorities blocked their entry over Ebola-related restrictions. The group, which departed Kenya on October 30, had travelled to the Gulf country on valid work visas but was denied entry upon arrival and subsequently repatriated, arriving back in the country on Monday.
The return follows a warning by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Saturday, October 31, over restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia on travellers from countries flagged over Ebola concerns. The affected workers recounted their ordeal, accusing authorities at the airport of subjecting them to harsh conditions as they waited to be repatriated.
The workers claimed they were treated harshly, with some saying they only took one meal per day and slept on the cold floors at the airport in Saudi Arabia. Kanyi Njau, one of the affected workers, said some have even lost their luggage. The workers said their biggest concern was the financial loss incurred while preparing for the promised jobs.
Some of the workers said they had sold land, household belongings and other property, while others borrowed money to pay recruitment agents, process visas and secure travel documents in preparation for their departure. Njau said the abrupt disruption had shattered the hopes of many who had invested heavily in securing employment abroad.
The workers are now appealing to the Kenyan Government to intervene and resolve the standoff with Saudi authorities before their visas expire, allowing them to return and take up the jobs they had secured. Recruitment agencies have called on the Government to urgently clarify the restrictions, warning that uncertainty over a 21-day provision could disrupt the country's labour mobility programme.
Monika Mwema, the Secretary General of the Association of Skilled Migrant Agencies of Kenya (ASMAK), said recruiters had been caught off guard, with some workers already repatriated while others had confirmed tickets and were scheduled to travel. Mwema said the association was seeking clarification on what the 21-day provision meant for workers holding stamped Saudi work visas.
ASMAK is now seeking urgent engagement with the Kenyan Government and Saudi authorities to establish a clear way forward. Mwema said the association was ready to engage the Government, including through a meeting with President William Ruto, to discuss the future of labour mobility between the two countries. Saudi Arabia remains Kenya's biggest market for labour mobility, with recruiters warning that continued uncertainty could affect workers awaiting deployment and agencies with visas already processed.
Key points
- Over 300 Kenyans were repatriated from Saudi Arabia after being denied entry due to Ebola-related restrictions.
- The workers incurred significant financial losses while preparing for the promised jobs.
- Recruitment agencies are seeking clarification on the 21-day provision to avoid disrupting the country's labour mobility programme.
