The Saudi government has refused to cover the cost of repatriating the body of Farida Kafini, 31, a Kenyan domestic worker who died in Arar after contracting meningitis.

The refusal came after her sponsor also declined to cover the expenses, saying he could not afford the cost of the airfare and repatriation procedures, in what was described as a breach of workers’ rights, including end-of-service entitlements.

Kafini’s family has been forced to appeal for assistance through the media and social media platforms. The family said the Saudi government had given them until 21 July to pay the cost of transporting her body, otherwise she would be buried somewhere in Arar.

Farida moved to Arar for work in 2019 and served a Saudi family continuously for seven years before they declined to assume responsibility for the repatriation of her body following her death.