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PS Macharia: Kenyans suffer in Saudi Arabia because they are not submissive

By Wangu Kanuri September 20th, 2022 1 min read

The government has faulted Kenyans working in the Middle East for not being submissive to their employer.

Speaking at the induction of Members of the National Assembly, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau said: “Kenyans do not have the humility to work in some areas.”

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He stressed that Kenyans who seek job opportunities in Saudi Arabia need to be humble.

“In countries like Saudi Arabia, their traditions around housework are very ancient. So you find that the people who suffer the terrible beatings and abuse are house helps.”

The PS also wondered why there are no cases of Kenyans working in the transport and hospitality sector being victimized.

He asked parliamentarians to reflect on the categories of labour for export.

“We have to ask ourselves if we are exporting the right category of personnel and do they have the right training to understand that culture before they leave and go work there.”

Noting that Kenya has about 200,000 people working in the Middle East, the PS also regretted that many Kenyans tend to blame the government when they land in trouble while outside the country.

“The remittances we earn from Kenyans working in the Middle East is encouraging and helps us build the economy,” he said.

His comments come barely a month after a Kenyan student namely Diana Chepkemoi was reported to have been mistreated and even tortured at the hands of her employer in Saudi Arabia.

Several Kenyans have complained about the working conditions Saudi Arabia.