Kenyan Woman Dies in Saudi Arabia, Body Still Not Located

The tragic death of Virginia Auma Ayoko, a Kenyan woman working in Saudi Arabia, has left her family in distress.

Auma, who had been employed in Saudi Arabia for two years to support her family back home, passed away on July 6. However, her family remains uninformed about the cause of her death or the location of her remains. The process of confirming Auma’s death was fraught with challenges and misinformation. Her sister Christine Akinyi reveals that the employment agency initially denied reports of Auma’s death, with a representative named Purity dismissing the family’s inquiries as rumours. Only after persistent questioning did the agency acknowledge Auma’s passing.

Despite initial promises to assist with the repatriation of her body, the agency has since become unresponsive, exacerbating the family’s anguish. Susana Nabwire, Auma’s mother, recounts the heartrending moment she learned of her daughter’s fate through a third party expressing condolences. The family is now appealing to both the Kenyan government and the public for assistance in bringing Auma’s remains home for a proper burial. They hope that by raising awareness of their situation, they will receive the necessary support to find closure.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Kenyan workers in Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia. While many Kenyans seek employment opportunities in these regions through recruitment agencies, there have been numerous reports of mistreatment, abuse, and fatalities over the years. The Kenyan government has been urged to implement more stringent measures to protect its citizens working abroad. In response to these concerns, the Kenyan Ministry of Labour and Social Protection announced plans in 2021 to establish a comprehensive database of Kenyans working in Gulf countries.

This initiative aims to monitor their welfare and ensure they receive adequate support. Additionally, the government has been working on bilateral agreements with Gulf nations to safeguard the rights of Kenyan workers. The repatriation process for deceased individuals from Saudi Arabia involves several complex steps including obtaining a death report from the hospital, securing a police report in cases of suspicious circumstances, informing the deceased’s sponsor, and acquiring a No Objection Certificate from the embassy.

In Auma’s case, the family’s ordeal has been compounded by the lack of communication and support from the recruitment agency. The plight of Auma’s family has resonated deeply with many Kenyans who have expressed their solidarity through social media platforms. Messages of condolence and calls for action have been widespread. The family hopes that by sharing their story, they will receive the assistance needed to repatriate Auma’s body and provide her with a dignified burial.