Migrant workers deaths in Saudi double, casting shadow on Kenya's labour export strategy
The number of Kenyan migrant workers who died in Saudi Arabia more than doubled in 2023.
The number of Kenyan migrant workers who died in Saudi Arabia more than doubled in 2023, casting a shadow over the government's push to send more Kenyans to work in the Gulf countries.
The rise in deaths comes despite an overall reduction in the number of Kenyan deaths abroad, highlighting the grim reality of migrant labour in the region.
The Kenya Vital Statistics Report 2023, published earlier this month, revealed a disturbing increase in the number of Kenyans dying in Saudi Arabia. Registered deaths in the Gulf nation rose to 29 in 2023, up from 13 in 2022.
While the total number of Kenyan deaths abroad decreased by 10.3 per cent from 301 in 2022 to 270 in 2023 Saudi Arabia saw the highest increase, accounting for nearly 11 per cent of all Kenyan deaths abroad.
This surge in fatalities is all the more alarming given that Saudi Arabia is one of Kenya's largest destinations for migrant workers.
The Kenyan government has increasingly relied on labour exports as a key part of its job creation strategy, particularly with local industries struggling to provide sufficient employment for the growing workforce.
The Ministry of Labour has even launched targeted recruitment campaigns, such as one last December where a Saudi company sought 1,000 drivers.
The company promised an average monthly salary of 1,400 Saudi Riyals (about Sh50,000), a considerable amount in comparison to local wages.
But these opportunities come with their risks. The alarming rise in deaths in Saudi Arabia is indicative of the challenges faced by migrant workers, many of whom endure harsh conditions and abuse.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi revealed in October 2024 that 316 Kenyan migrant workers have died in the Gulf countries since 2002, with Saudi Arabia topping the list with 166 deaths.
Qatar followed with 58 deaths, while other countries like the UAE, Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait reported fewer fatalities.
The total number of Kenyans working in the Gulf states is substantial, with at least 416,548 Kenyans employed across eight Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia alone is home to more than 310,000 Kenyan workers, making it the largest destination for Kenyan labour. Qatar follows with 66,000, while smaller numbers work in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq.
Challenge
However, despite the large numbers of Kenyans working in these countries, tracking the exact number of deaths and monitoring workers' well-being remains a challenge.
Mudavadi acknowledged that many Kenyan workers are not registered with Kenyan missions abroad, making it difficult for the government to maintain accurate data.
"Kenyans in these territories exhibit high movement between various states. The numbers given therefore constitute periodic statistics derived from our missions in these countries further corroborated through official sources of the host governments," Mudavadi said during a Senate session.
The lack of proper registration also hampers the government's ability to respond effectively to crises faced by workers in the Gulf.
Many migrant workers move between countries in the region, complicating efforts to track their status and ensure their safety.
The government has made efforts to sensitize workers on the importance of registering with missions abroad, but many continue to neglect this crucial step.
Meanwhile, domestic workers in Saudi Arabia have borne the brunt of exploitation.
In 2022, the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) published a report on the abuse faced by Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, including physical and sexual abuse, forced labour, and psychological mistreatment.
Many workers also suffer from passport confiscation, sleep deprivation, and restrictions on their movement.
The abuse of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia has prompted calls for the revision of the Bilateral Labour Agreement (BLA) between Kenya and Saudi Arabia.
The Commission recommended that the agreement be updated to address these issues, introducing clear sanctions for rogue employers and workers. It also called for a comprehensive complaint-handling and dispute-resolution system for migrant workers.
As the government pushes to increase the number of Kenyans working abroad, it is clear that serious concerns about the safety and well-being of workers in the Gulf must be addressed.
The government's ambitious plan to send 250,000 Kenyans annually to work abroad over the medium term is aimed at alleviating the pressure of an expanding workforce, but this goal must be met with a commitment to protecting migrant workers from exploitation and death.
The remittances sent back by Kenyans working abroad have been a vital source of income for the country, contributing an estimated $4 billion (Sh520 billion) in 2023.
The government has set its sights on raising this figure to $10 billion (Sh1.3 trillion) in the next five years.
However, without proper safeguards in place for migrant workers, this economic growth comes at the cost of human lives and dignity.
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