Foreign Affairs CS nominee Dr Alfred Mutua during his vetting by the Parliamentary Committee of Appointment has pledged that he will take it upon himself to ensure that no Kenyan is detained in the Middle Eastern countries even if it takes him to go there in person.

This comes at a time when the government is under fire for being silent watchers as Kenyans suffer in the Middle East. There is pressure for the government to act on what many view as modern-day slavery on Kenyans seeking greener pastures in the Gulf states. workers have reportedly been subjected to is denial of food and medication, physical torture and other levels of injustice.

Dr Mutua acknowledged that he is aware of the dire situation and he will ensure that the worker’s rights are defended even if he will need to personally travel to the gulf countries.

“I know there are countries where Kenyans have been detained and tortured like prisoners. Those cases have been taken lightly but I will address them in the most appropriate manner even if I will personally go there to defend the rights of Kenyans.,” he said.

“A Kenyan is a Kenyan, it does not matter what they have done, some have are being tortured like prisoners as if they don’t have their own places. We have already brought back a few and we want to bring back more.” the former Machakos governor added.

The Foreign Affairs CS nominee further added that he will comb through the employment agencies responsible for linking Kenyans to employment opportunities in the Middle East so as to root out elements he called “cartels”. He accused them of victimizing workers in ways he said that he is privy to and would not divulge them lest they work up their tricks to avoid prosecution.

When asked about what his plans were on ensuring that Kenyans secure dignified and safe jobs abroad, Dr Mutua said that he will set up a way of assisting Kenyans to apply for jobs. He said this will bring synergy between Kenya and other countries to avail as many opportunities as possible which in return will see Kenyans travel to earn a living.

“I am also going to ask our Embassies to be telling us, so that we can also tell Kenyans and publish widely, of the opportunities that Kenyans can look at and head into the United Nations and other international bodies.”