Government to probe alleged misconduct by embassy official in Saudi Arabia

The government has pledged to investigate an embassy official named in a recent New York Times article, which shed light on disturbing allegations of sexual exploitation by embassy staff toward Kenyans in Saudi Arabia.

The exposé, published on April 4, exposed how some Kenyans working in the Gulf state were subjected to abuse, with embassy officials reportedly demanding sexual favors in exchange for assistance.

During an interview on Spice FM on Tuesday, State Department for Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu expressed deep concern over the revelations and assured the public that the government would take steps to address the situation, despite the events having occurred five years ago.

Njogu confirmed that the officer accused in the exposé had been dismissed from their position at the embassy but revealed that a formal investigation would now be initiated to ensure accountability.

“The said officer is no longer an employee of the Government of Kenya. This will be investigated, and we will deal with it,” she stated.

Formal complaint

The PS also revealed that the government only learned of these allegations through the media, noting the absence of a formal complaint from the victims, which she described as concerning.

“The most concerning thing is that to date, five years later, we do not have a formal complaint against this person,” she said.

Njogu acknowledged that survivors of such incidents often find it difficult to come forward but urged anyone affected to report such matters to authorities.

To help prevent similar occurrences in the future, the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs has launched a new reporting system, including a dedicated email address for Kenyans abroad to anonymously report misconduct. The email will be monitored directly by the Principal Secretary herself.

The official also took the opportunity to advise Kenyans planning to work abroad to carefully vet recruitment agencies to avoid falling prey to unscrupulous operators.

Njogu stressed the importance of working only with accredited agencies to safeguard against potential abuse and exploitation.

This investigation comes on the heels of the return of a group of Kenyans who had been stranded in Myanmar, where they endured severe mistreatment, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety of Kenyans abroad.

In the wake of these troubling incidents, the government has vowed to strengthen its oversight and protection systems to prevent the future exploitation of citizens working overseas.

Other Topics To Read

• Middle-East
• kenya saudi arabia relations
• sexual allegations
• kenya consulate saudi arabia
• sexual harassment
• sexual exploitation
• Government to probe alleged misconduct by embassy official in Saudi Arabia
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