Kenya rejects Amnesty report, cites migrant worker protections

Kenya’s Embassy in Saudi Arabia has defended the country’s labour agreement with the Gulf nation, saying it protects the rights of Kenyan migrant workers and provides safe, fair working conditions.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ambassador Mohammed Ramadhan Ruwange criticised a new Amnesty International report for what he described as misleading information about the conditions faced by Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia.

"The Government of Kenya recognises the importance of advocacy for the rights of migrant workers," said the ambassador.

"However, it is unfortunate that the report contains glaring inaccuracies, exaggerated claims, misconceptions and unverified allegations that unfairly misrepresent the realities," he added.

According to Ruwange, Saudi Arabia is home to more than 200,000 Kenyans working across different sectors, including domestic work, healthcare, construction, hospitality, logistics and retail.

He said the Kenya-Saudi Bilateral Labour Agreement ensures protection and fairness for workers, based on internationally accepted labour standards.

The statement outlined several reforms introduced by Saudi Arabia to safeguard migrant workers.

These include the Labour Reform Initiative, which allows workers to switch jobs or leave the country without employer permission after completing their contracts, and the Wage Protection System that ensures salaries are paid electronically.

Other measures include a Kiswahili-support complaints platform via MUSANED, digital contract tracking, contract insurance, and access to free shelters and repatriation for distressed workers.

"Saudi Arabia has progressively implemented significant labour reforms aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of migrant workers," said the ambassador.

Ruwange acknowledged that while there are isolated cases of mistreatment, such incidents do not reflect the experiences of the majority.

"The Embassy acknowledges that isolated incidents of mistreatment may occur, as is common in many emerging global labour corridors," he said.

Ambassador Ruwange urged advocacy groups and the media to engage objectively.

"The Government of Kenya, in concert with its valued partner, Saudi Arabia, invites all stakeholders

including the media, advocacy groups and international partners, to engage constructively and objectively, and to report responsibly."

The response follows the release of Locked In, Left Out: The Hidden Lives of Kenyan Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia, a report by Amnesty International based on testimonies from over 70 women.

The report highlights cases of deception by recruiters, long working hours, denial of rest days, withheld pay, and confiscation of passports and phones.

Amnesty said these conditions amount to modern slavery and called for reforms to the kafala system and stronger protections in the Kenya-Saudi labour agreement.

The rights group also urged the Kenyan government to ratify key international treaties and expand services such as safe houses, complaint systems, and migrant welfare funding.