RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — detailed the Kenyan government’s sustained efforts to address the plight of Kenyan mothers and their undocumented children residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while simultaneously expressing concern over the low utilization of existing help pathways.
In a press statement issued on Friday, the PS highlighted the legal difficulties faced by Kenyan mothers in the Gulf region, noting that Saudi law deems pre- or extra-marital sex illegal, viewing subsequent conception and birth as an offense.
Consequently, Saudi authorities often require a marriage certificate to issue a birth certificate, leading many births out of wedlock to remain unregistered as mothers fear penalties, including imprisonment and deportation.
The Mwanamberi Project and low response
To counter this legal challenge, the Kenyan government launched the Mwanamberi Project in 2023, utilizing DNA sampling to establish parentage and facilitate the documentation and repatriation of affected children.
Through this initiative:
- 707 DNA samples were collected, with 388 taken from children.
- Out of 113 applications received, 110 birth certificates have been successfully processed.
However, the Ministry noted that the response from the targeted parents to collect these crucial documents has been underwhelming.
“The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs contacted all 110 parents via messages, direct calls and community circulars to collect the birth certificates from our Riyadh Embassy. To date, only a third have done so,” PS Njogu said in the statement.
She added that: “The donors of the other samples were also contacted and advised to complete their birth certificate applications, but the response has been underwhelming.”
Repatriation and amnesty success
In addition to the documentation project, the government established a Joint Interdepartmental Working Group with the Saudi government to create a lawful channel for the repatriation of Kenyan citizens.
PS Njogu confirmed that through this collaborative framework, 39 mothers and 73 children have been safely repatriated to date.
The government also successfully negotiated an amnesty for individuals whose visas or residencies had expired, allowing them to regularize their status and return home without incurring penalties.
Also Read: Kenya opens consulate in Jeddah to deepen ties and support Kenyans in Saudi Arabia
Despite these provisions, the PS noted that only a few Kenyans have utilized these options.
Call to action
PS Njogu issued a strong appeal, urging the affected citizens to take immediate action:
“We urge the single mothers in Saudi Arabia with undocumented children to utilise the pathways already created by the government to regularise their status and procure documentation for their children,” PS Njogu urged.
“They may contact the Embassy of Kenya in Riyadh, the Consulate in Jeddah or the State Department for Diaspora Affairs in Nairobi. We urge those whose birth certificates are lying at the Kenya Embassy in Riyadh to immediately collect them.”
The PS concluded by appealing to all Kenyans abroad to strictly adhere to the laws of their host countries, register their presence via the ministry’s diaspora website, and maintain constant contact with the nearest Kenyan mission for assistance.
