Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu has responded to claims that Kenyan mothers and their children are unable to return home from Saudi Arabia due to pending DNA test results, calling the allegations inaccurate.
The clarification comes after Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa alleged that the government had failed to deliver DNA results collected three years ago, leaving many Kenyan women and children stranded abroad.
The senator highlighted the case of a woman from Vihiga County and her eight-year-old daughter, who, he said, have been waiting for almost three years without updates.
Senator Thang’wa claimed that numerous Kenyans were unable to leave Saudi Arabia because the embassy had collected DNA samples long ago but had not processed or shared the results.
"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," the senator 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.
Responding on Thursday, November 13, PS Njogu clarified that DNA testing is not a requirement for issuing birth certificates to children born to Kenyan mothers abroad. She emphasized that all birth certificate applications submitted under the 2023 DNA project have already been processed and completed.
"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," Njogu 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.
Despite the clarification, Senator Thang’wa promised to raise the matter in the Senate to ensure the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh expedites the return of stranded mothers and children.
"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.
