Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang'wa has criticized the government for alleged inaction toward undocumented Kenyans stranded in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement on Sunday, November 16, the senator claims he witnessed firsthand the deplorable conditions in which Kenyan mothers and children are forced to live.
Thang’wa pointed out a disconnect between diplomatic assurances made by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and the realities Kenyans are enduring in the Gulf Kingdom.
"The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs speaks of pathways, frameworks, committees, and mechanisms. But while in Saudi Arabia, I came face-to-face with Kenyan mothers sleeping outside on the cold pavements with their children, undocumented, distressed, and abandoned. No government statement, however well-written, can neutralize the reality I saw with my own eyes. The suffering is real. The neglect is real," he said.
Thang'wa further reveals troubling figures shared by the ministry regarding the status of documentation efforts for Kenyan children.
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"The Ministry admits that 707 DNA samples were collected and only 110 birth certificates were processed. This means over 500 Kenyan children remain in limbo, undocumented and unprotected," he added.
Thang’wa added that many of the affected mothers have waited years after providing DNA samples but have yet to receive any feedback.
He accused the government of failing to communicate effectively, adding that logistical and legal barriers further discourage the mothers from pursuing formal recognition for their children.
"For some of these mothers, the DNA samples were taken over two years ago, yet they still have no answers, no support, and no status. This is unacceptable by any standard. The Ministry suggests that mothers have not picked their documents or have not registered births.
"Let it be known that some mothers were never contacted, others are too far from Riyadh or Jeddah to travel, many fear arrest because of Saudi laws criminalizing childbirth outside marriage, and most have simply lost trust after years of silence," he further said.
Thang’wa insisted that blaming the mothers is unjust, especially given the systemic deficiencies that have failed them at every turn.
"You cannot blame a stranded mother for being afraid. You cannot blame a homeless woman for lacking transport. You cannot blame victims when the system has already failed them. Knowing this, it is misleading to imply that mothers are simply unwilling to register. They are unable, not unwilling, because the system offers them no safe pathway," he continued.
As such, Thang'wa issued five demands to the government, including deploying an emergency team to help undocumented families, expediting pending DNA results, creating a safe reporting system, facilitating repatriation, and investigating alleged misconduct at the Kenyan embassy.
"I now call upon the Government of Kenya to move from statements to action. Immediate steps are required, including deploying an Emergency Consular Response Team to trace, protect, and assist all Kenyan mothers and children in distress in Saudi Arabia. The government must fast-track all pending DNA results within 30 days, not years, and create a safe, protected, and risk-free reporting channel for undocumented mothers. It should also facilitate the immediate repatriation of all mothers and children who wish to return home, while thoroughly investigating and addressing Embassy negligence, including allegations of intimidation by proxies," he stated.
Thang’wa vowed to use his position to ensure their plight does not go unnoticed and that appropriate action is taken at the highest levels.
"As a Senator of the Republic of Kenya, I cannot remain silent when our people are sleeping on foreign streets. I will continue exposing these injustices, following up cases on the ground, speaking for those who cannot speak, demanding accountability, pushing for urgent action in Parliament, and mobilizing support for mothers and their children," he concluded.
This comes barely a day after Thang'wa accused the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh of intimidating citizens who speak out about their challenges and suffering in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement on Saturday, November 15, Thang'wa claimed that the embassy has been using proxies to silence Kenyans who dare to voice their struggles, including issues of homelessness and mistreatment.
"The Embassy of Kenya in Riyadh has reportedly resorted to intimidating Kenyans through its proxies in Saudi Arabia for daring to speak about their challenges, homelessness, and suffering. They are even threatening to cancel Samidoh's show," he stated.
Thang'wa warned that he would soon expose individuals allegedly being used by the embassy to intimidate Kenyans in the Gulf nation.
"Very soon, we shall name these proxies in Riyadh and Dammam. Any Kenyan who is happy to live and work in Saudi should be allowed to enjoy the opportunities and comfort of this beautiful country. But those who are suffering or unwilling to stay must be facilitated to return home safely and without intimidation," he added.
Thang'wa insisted that the embassy's primary responsibility is to protect Kenyan citizens abroad, not to suppress their voices.
"The embassy must remember that its sole mandate is to protect Kenyans abroad, just like the Philippines embassy fiercely protects its people. Anything outside that mandate is an abuse of office," he concluded.
