Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa has sharply responded to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, saying its statements on undocumented Kenyan mothers and children in Saudi Arabia do not reflect reality.

The senator shared his observations following a recent visit to the Kingdom, where he encountered mothers and children living in distressing conditions.

In a statement posted on X on Sunday, November 16, 2025, the senator said he must respond to what he saw in Saudi Arabia.

“I have read the Ministry’s press statement regarding the situation of undocumented Kenyan mothers and their children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I must respond clearly, firmly, and truthfully, based on what I personally witnessed during my visit to Saudi Arabia last week,” the senator said.

Thang’wa said his visit revealed a stark contrast between government statements and the reality on the ground.

“While in Saudi Arabia, I came face-to-face with Kenyan mothers sleeping outside on the cold pavements with their children, undocumented, distressed, and abandoned. No government statement, however well-written, can neutralise the reality I witnessed with my own eyes. The suffering is real. The neglect is real,” the statement reads.

He highlighted that despite DNA samples being collected for more than 700 children, only 110 birth certificates had been processed, leaving hundreds in limbo.

“This means over 500 Kenyan children remain in limbo, undocumented and unprotected. In cases where mothers left, the DNA samples were taken over two years ago, yet they still have no answers, no support, and no status. This is unacceptable by any standard,” he said.

The senator rejected claims that mothers have been unwilling to register their children, noting obstacles such as distance, fear of Saudi laws criminalising childbirth outside marriage, and lack of safe channels for reporting.

“You cannot blame a stranded mother for being afraid. You cannot blame a homeless woman for lacking transportation. You cannot blame victims when the system has already failed them,” Thang’wa added.

He urged the government to act immediately, including deploying an emergency consular team, fast-tracking pending DNA results, and creating risk-free reporting channels. He also committed to following up on these cases in Parliament and mobilising support for affected mothers and children.

“The Ministry’s statement may be detailed, but it does not match the lived reality of our people in Saudi Arabia. Kenya must protect its citizens, not defend broken processes,” the senator concluded.