Kenya speaks out after Saudi court sentences woman to 100 lashes over out-of-wedlock birth
Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei has criticised the punishment handed to a Kenyan mother sentenced to 100 lashes in Saudi Arabia, describing it as cruel and inhuman under Kenyan law as Nairobi continues diplomatic engagement with Riyadh.
Nairobi, Kenya – Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has expressed concern over a Kenyan woman sentenced to 100 lashes in Saudi Arabia for having an out-of-wedlock birth, describing the punishment as cruel and inhuman under Kenyan law. While acknowledging Saudi Arabia's judicial sovereignty, the government remains committed to engaging with Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels.
The case of Esther Wanja Muthoni, a 40-year-old domestic worker, sparked debate about the protection of Kenyan migrant workers in the Middle East. Muthoni was convicted of having sexual relations outside marriage, leading to her son's birth in August 2025. Despite being accompanied by a translator during proceedings, she did not have legal representation and struggled to return home due to complications surrounding her child's legal status.
The government has previously acknowledged the challenges faced by Kenyan mothers and children in Saudi Arabia, particularly those born outside marriage, and has implemented measures to help verify parent-child relationships and facilitate documentation.
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