In Saudi Arabia, thousands of children born to Kenyan mothers navigate life without official recognition or identity.
Among them is Blessings Iminza, who has endured eight years of statelessness, unable to return to Kenya with her mother. Her story exemplifies the devastating consequences of undocumented migration and restrictive immigration policies. These children emerge from what local authorities term “forbidden relationships,” existing in a precarious legal void. Neither recognized by their fathers’ nations nor registered in Kenya, they face severe limitations in accessing fundamental rights and services. Their mothers confront an impossible choice: abandon their children to return home or remain in Saudi Arabia under increasingly difficult circumstances.
The journey of Edith Ingasiani, Blessings’ mother, reveal the deceptive recruitment practices that plague migrant workers. Originally pursuing teaching opportunities in Dubai, she found herself diverted to Saudi Arabia as a domestic worker. Faced with intolerable working conditions, Edith fled to the Kenyan Embassy seeking deportation, only to find herself stranded without financial means for repatriation. Her situation grew more complex when she formed a relationship with a Ghanaian worker who had initially helped her navigate her financial difficulties. Their relationship resulted in Blessings’ birth, but tragedy struck when her partner died in an accident, leaving her to face pregnancy and motherhood alone.
The absence of legal documentation has created cascading hardships for both mother and child. Without proper papers, Edith cannot register Blessings’ birth or pay the mandatory resident fees for dependents required by Saudi authorities. The situation has also prevented her from returning to Kenya during crucial family events, including her parents’ funerals. These have deepened her isolation and emotional trauma. Edith laments that Blessings’ aspirations for education and family connection remain unrealized. Her experience parallels that of others, such as Linet Nyongesa’s son, who also remains unregistered and unable to leave Saudi Arabia.
The Kenyan government has begun addressing these challenges through initiatives like the Mobile Consular Services outreach program, launched in late 2023. Principal Secretary for Diaspora Roseline Njogu reports ongoing diplomatic discussions between Kenya and Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving the plight of affected migrant workers and their children. As diplomatic channels remain open between Kenya and Saudi Arabia, there is cautious optimism that more effective measures will emerge to facilitate the safe return of these families and end their statelessness.
