Four petitioners want the National Assembly to address the plight of Kenyan domestic workers suffering in the Middle East.

The petitioners want the National Assembly to initiate legislative reforms and summon State officers mandated by law to ensure conformity with the Constitution, all labour statutes and any other international treaties that Kenya has ratified. “The issue on respect of which this petition is made is not pending before any court of law or other Constitution or legal body.

 Your petitioners pray that pursuant to Article 94(1) of the Constitution, which provides that the legislative authority of the Republic is derived from the people and at the national level, is vested in and exercised by parliament, the honourable house considers this petition,” the petitioners state.

Private households

They note that every person has a right to petition Parliament to consider any matters within its authority.

The petitioners said millions of Kenyan women and girls are employed in private households around the world where they perform basic household chores and despite their vital role, they are among the most abused and exploited workers.

“Section 18 of the Parliamentary powers and privileges Act provides that Parliament or its committees may invite or summon any person to appear before it for purposes of giving evidence or providing information, paper, book, record or document in the possession or under control of that person,” said the petitioners.

They also said that Kenya and Saudi Arabia were required to put in place measures geared towards respecting, promoting and realising the fundamental principled and rights at work.