The Embassy of Kenya in Riyadh has opened a large-scale registration for Kenyans currently marked under Huroob in Saudi Arabia, offering them a chance to secure Emergency Travel Certificates (ETCs) and return home safely.
This initiative targets nationals facing challenging circumstances, including those whose employment or residency status in the Kingdom is irregular.
Huroob is a classification used in Saudi Arabia when workers are reported as having left their employer without permission or violated residency regulations.
Many workers are placed under this status after disputes over delayed pay, extended working hours, or contract disagreements. Others are registered as absconding when they leave jobs without salary for long periods or switch employers without formal approval. Failure to renew residency permits on time also results in Huroob status.
The Embassy has called on all eligible Kenyans to come forward for ETC processing, regardless of whether they hold a passport, as long as they can present any valid Kenyan identification.
Acceptable documents include National Identification Cards, birth certificates, Huduma Cards, driving licenses, or copies of passports if available.
“The Embassy remains committed to protecting the rights and welfare of Kenyan nationals in Saudi Arabia. We encourage all eligible citizens to participate in this exercise and ensure a smooth return home,” the statement read.
This registration effort aims to provide assistance to nationals in distress and to facilitate their safe repatriation. Citizens are advised to keep up to date with the Embassy’s official communications for information on registration venues, dates, and documentation requirements.
On November 19, the Embassy reminded domestic workers and their employers of the rules governing employment in Saudi Arabia to ensure compliance, transparency, and protection of workers.
Each domestic worker must have a valid written contract approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), specifying salary, job responsibilities, working hours, and benefits.
Employers are required to pay salaries promptly through official channels and provide proof of payment or salary slips.
Workers are entitled to at least nine hours of rest daily, weekly rest days, paid annual leave, safe accommodation, adequate food, and medical care, including access to hospitals or clinics when needed.
The Embassy stressed that employers cannot confiscate passports or personal documents, and workers must be allowed regular communication with their families.
All transfers of sponsorship or final exit procedures must be processed through MHRSD and Jawazat platforms, and workers should never be forced to work against their will.
Domestic workers experiencing abuse, delayed payment, excessive working hours, or mistreatment are urged to report to the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh immediately. The Embassy emphasized that knowledge of these rights is essential for protecting Kenyans in Saudi Arabia and encouraged strict adherence to employment regulations by both workers and employers.
