Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh Refutes Viral Allegations of Abandoning Troubled Kenyans in Saudi Arabia

The Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has issued a formal statement addressing a video circulating on social media where several individuals allege they had been abandoned at the Saudi Manpower Solutions Company (SMASCO) accommodation centre.

In a statement on the evening of Saturday, February 14, the diplomatic mission described the claims as unfounded, insisting that Kenya enjoyed a decent working relationship with SMASCO.

“The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Riyadh takes note of a video circulating online, alleging neglect and misconduct in assisting Kenyans at Saudi Manpower Solutions Company (SMASCO) accommodation centre. The Embassy wishes to clarify that these claims are unfounded,” a statement from the embassy read.

Further, the embassy explained that SMASCO was a licensed entity which was operating legally within Saudi Arabia.

The company typically provides manpower and support services, and is considered as a middle company between employers in Saudi Arabia and foreign workers, including many Kenyans.

Over the past few days, however, the company has come under scrutiny after several videos emerged on social media of individuals purporting to be Kenyans who had ran away from their places of work to the embassy in an attempt to flee back home.

In one of the videos, a woman narrates how she went to the embassy while unwell, but the embassy allegedly denied her assistance.

The woman claims to have gone on strike to force a move away from Saudi Arabia, but they were specifically neglected by the embassy.

“We have the embassy’s contacts. I have been here for weeks and when we try to contact the embassy, once they hear we are seeking repatriation, they ignore us,” an individual in the video said.

But in a rejoinder, the embassy reiterated that SMASCO operated under the regulatory framework of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and as such, it is subject to government oversight.

Further, the embassy reiterated that it maintains a structured and ongoing engagement with the company to safeguard the welfare of Kenyan nationals housed at the company’s accommodation facility.

According to the statement, this is done through weekly visits by embassy officials to check on the well-being of Kenyans.

As far as repatriation is concerned, the mission highlighted recent efforts, stating that between July 2025 and January 2026, it facilitated the return of over 2500 Kenyans back to their home country.

Despite dismissing claims made in the video, the embassy said it would verify the allegations during its routine visits.