Kenyan Family Demands Justice After Daughter's Mysterious Death in Saudi Arabia

The family of Rachel Njoki, a 37-year-old Kenyan woman who died in Saudi Arabia under disputed circumstances, is demanding transparency and justice, citing bureaucratic obstacles and conflicting reports surrounding her death.

Njoki, a mother of two, had traveled to Saudi Arabia in December seeking employment. Njoki's family was notified nearly a month after her death. According to family friend and church elder Charles Gacheru, the delay and inconsistencies in the information they received have fueled suspicions of foul play. The family reports being told by Kenyan police that an autopsy required authorization from Interpol, a claim that deepened their concerns.

“We were informed that post-mortem could not be conducted due to certain bureaucracies and that we needed approval from Interpol. We want transparency in this process to determine if her death was natural or if foul play was involved,” said Charles Gacheru,

Adding to the family's distress are conflicting dates of death. Saudi authorities reported Njoki's death occurred on January 7, while the Kenyan embassy in Riyadh claimed she died on January 8. Furthermore, the family disputes claims that Njoki's body was in an advanced state of decomposition, suggesting the condition was misrepresented to expedite burial. Odhiambo Ojiro, a human rights officer with Vocal Africa, has condemned the government's handling of the case, alleging negligence and potential collusion.

“The Saudi government states that Rachel died on January 7, while the Kenyan embassy in Riyadh claims she died on January 8. Which report should the family believe?” Ojiro questioned.

In a related incident in January, the family of Mwandazi Athuman Mohammed, who died in Saudi Arabia on January 24, 2025, appealed for assistance in repatriating her body back to Kenya. Mwandazi's sudden death following a brief illness left her family grappling with significant financial and logistical challenges as they sought to fulfill her mother's wish for a proper burial at home. Mwandazi’s mother, Mwanauru Nkulu, expressed her grief and desperation, stating that her last conversation with her daughter occurred just days before her death.

She says she received news of her passing via phone, stating, "I don’t know how my daughter's body will get home. I don’t know who will help me. As we speak, I am losing hope. I want my daughter's body repatriated. I need to see her one last time and give her a proper burial."

Further exacerbating the situation, Mwandazi’s employer had reportedly suggested burying her in Saudi Arabia to avoid escalating mortuary preservation costs.