Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu has denied claims that several Kenyan Mothers and their children are unable leave Saudi Arabia due to unprocessed DNA results.
The PS was responding to Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangwa who alleged that the government had yet to return DNA results, which were taken three years ago, to ensure that Kenyan mothers are cleared to leave Saudi Arabia.
Senator Thangwa shared a post alleging that a Kenyan woman from Vihiga County and her eight-year-old daughter were stranded in Riyadh after waiting nearly three years for DNA test results.
According to the senator, the woman was among the many Kenyans who were unable to secure clearance to return home because the Kenyan embassy had collected DNA samples years earlier but failed to provide results or updates.
"By practice, every Kenyan woman who gives birth out of wedlock here must undergo a DNA test before being cleared to return home with her child," Thangwa said.
"Her samples and those of many others were collected almost three years ago by officials who reportedly flew from Kenya through the embassy to conduct the process. They returned to Kenya with the samples. Three years later, no results, no updates, and no answers," he added.
However, in a statement on Thursday November 13, the PS clarified that DNA results are not mandatory for issuing birth certificates to children born to Kenyan mothers abroad.
Additionally, the PS said that all birth certificate applications that were made from the 2023 DNA project have already been issued.
According to Njogu, the government already repatriated 73 children and 50 mothers who were part of the 2023 DNA project.
"Senator: This is inaccurate. DNA samples are not required for birth certificates to be issued- but they can be relied on when parents cannot produce birth certificates," the PS said.
"From the 2023 DNA project, all birth certificate applications applied for were issued. In fact, 73 children and over 50 mothers have already been repatriated to Kenya. So, let me have the details of this birth certificate application, and our team can help," she added.
On his part, Senator Thangwa assured that he will raise the issue in the Senate to ensure that the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh fast-tracks the repatriation of Kenyan women and children stuck in Saudi Arabia.
"How many more mothers must wait? How many children must grow up stateless, homeless, and forgotten while offices trade silence and bureaucracy? It’s time we all turn our eyes to the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh and demand accountability," the Senator said.
