Another Kenyan Woman Dies in Saudi Arabia

A Kenyan family is mourning the death of their daughter who died under unclear circumstances in Saudi Arabia on January 1st. 

Nation reports that Gloria Mutuku, who was employed in the Gulf state as a domestic worker, died while undergoing treatment after reportedly becoming “delusional.”

On Tuesday, the family from Makueni County received the devastating news of her demise from Grace Wachuru, the agent who facilitated her travel and employment in Saudi Arabia.

The deceased’s sister Elizabeth Mwende said they used to chat with her almost daily for the five months she was in Saudi Arabia and they spoke last on Christmas Day when she said she was unwell.

“She excused herself from our daily communication routine. She said she was unwell. She said she had developed a headache and eye problem,” Mwende said. 

Three days later, Mwende learned from Gloria’s employer that her sister had been hospitalized after developing “a strange behavior.” 

Her medical report shows the 28-year-old was diagnosed with delusion, a belief or judgment about external reality, held despite incontrovertible evidence to the contrary, occurring especially in mental conditions. 

The report lists cardiomyopathy, a heart disease of the heart muscle, as the cause of death. 

"We want to know the circumstances in which she died," her uncle James Kituna.

The family is appealing to the government to help repatriate the body home for burial.

“We are opposed to a plan by the agent to have Gloria buried in Saudi Arabia. Such a move will haunt the family forever. We are requesting the government to intervene and help us transfer the body home for burial,” added Kituna.

The agent Wachuru said she had initiated talks with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have the body flown home. 

“These cases are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I have done my part by notifying officials about the incident. Let us be patient,” she said.

Gloria, who is an orphan, is survived by a two-year-old son and eight siblings.