Gov’t announces measures to facilitate stranded Kenyans in Saudi Arabia to return home

The government has announced new measures to support the welfare of its citizens working in Saudi Arabia, particularly those who are stranded and wish to return home.

Through its Embassy in Riyadh, Emergency Travel Certificates (ETCs) will be issued to Kenyans whose legal or employment status in Saudi Arabia is irregular and who lack passports needed for travel back to Kenya. Applicants will be required to prove their citizenship using documents such as National Identification Cards, birth certificates, driving licences, Huduma Cards, or passport copies where available.

“This exercise is intended to assist Kenyans in distress and facilitate their safe return home. The Embassy remains committed to protecting the rights and welfare of Kenyan nationals in Saudi Arabia. We encourage all eligible citizens to participate and ensure a smooth return home,” the Embassy said in a statement.

The initiative largely targets Kenyans classified under Saudi law as huroob—individuals who have left their employers due to disputes, violated residency regulations, or are living in the country without valid residency papers.

To support the process, the Embassy has launched a mass registration exercise for Kenyans under huroob and encouraged all affected individuals to come forward for ETC processing.

Additionally, the Embassy has rolled out an awareness campaign informing Kenyan workers of their rights and assuring them that it is committed to addressing violations affecting its citizens in the Gulf region. The Embassy emphasized that understanding labour rights is essential for safeguarding worker welfare and urged both employers and employees to comply with existing regulations.

In a statement issued last week, Kenyan workers were advised to ensure they possess valid legal documents permitting them to work in Saudi Arabia and to strictly adhere to the country’s labour laws. Workers were further reminded to secure written contracts approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD). Such contracts should clearly outline salaries, job duties, working hours, and benefits.

The advisory noted that employers must pay wages on time, maintain proof of payment, and avoid unlawful deductions. Saudi labour laws entitle workers to at least nine hours of daily rest, weekly rest days, paid annual leave, and safe accommodation with adequate food. Employers are also obligated to ensure workers have access to medical care whenever needed.

The Embassy stressed that employers should not confiscate passports or personal documents under any circumstances and affirmed that workers have the right to reasonable communication with their families. It further underscored that no worker should be forced to work against their will and that any transfer of sponsorship or final exit procedures must follow official regulations through the MHRSD and Jawazat systems.

The Embassy urged workers facing abuse, unpaid wages, overwork, or any form of mistreatment to report their cases immediately. “If any worker faces mistreatment, unpaid salary, overwork, or any form of abuse, please report immediately through the Kenya Embassy Riyadh,” the statement concluded.