Cardiac Arrest Cause of Death For Kenyan Employees - Saudi Arabia

Kenyan women stranded in Saudi Arabia
Kenyan women stranded in Saudi Arabia
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The government has issued a report they have received from Saudi Arabia, indicating that the Kenyans working in the country mainly die because of cardiac arrest. 

Addressing the National Assembly on Thursday, September 24, Principal Secretary Kamau Macharia informed the committee that the numerous deaths of Kenyans in Saudi Arabia are reportedly caused by heart failure. 

This report was issued by the government of Saudi Arabia after an uproar from Kenyans over the high number of Kenyans who die in the Middle East country compared to the deaths of Kenyans in other countries. 

This was after it emerged that this year alone, 41 Kenyans have died in Saudi Arabia, and 28 of them were domestic workers. Last year, 48 Kenyans passed on in the country and 29 of them were domestic workers, according to the report submitted to the Labour committee on Thursday.

Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Kamau Macharia
Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Kamau Macharia
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Reports that all the 89 Kenyans who died in Saudi Arabia in the last two years were as a result of cardiac arrest infuriated members of the committee, who rejected it saying it was not making sense.

According to PS Macharia, the reports do not add up, because the numbers in Saudi Arabia are way too high when compared to other countries. 

We have compared the deaths. It is not possible that all these people are dying of cardiac arrest,” PS Macharia remarked. 

The Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary however faults the ministry of labour for the unfortunate turn of events and for not conducting autopsies on the bodies to independently determine the causes of the deaths. 

“The entire system is dysfunctional. We were under the impression that the ministry of labour with the National employment of agencies would do this job,” Macharia noted.

Macharia has said that they do not have the facts to counter their opponent, because the existing ministry is not executing its mandate. 

Notably, the chairperson of the labour committee, Wachira Kabinga noted that they are prioritizing the safety of Kenyans and assured that no stone will be left unturned.

“This is priority number one for the work of the committee in the remaining period. We will ensure that our people do not live as slaves out there,” Wachira remarked.

Undated file image of Ministry of Labour Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui at a previous event.
Undated file image of Ministry of Labour Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui at a previous event.
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