GLOBAL – Saudi Arabia has permitted Saad Almadi, a 75-year-old American-Saudi dual citizen, to return to his home in Florida, ending a years-long ordeal that began with his 2021 arrest in Riyadh over 14 tweets critical of the government. The decision, announced on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, followed a high-profile meeting in Washington D.C. between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting the role of top-level diplomacy in resolving such cases.

Mr. Almadi, a retired engineer, was initially sentenced to 19 years in prison in a case that drew condemnation from human rights groups and the U.S. government. The charges were later revised to focus on cybercrime statutes, and while he was released from prison in March 2023, he remained under a travel ban. His family confirmed in a statement on Thursday, 20 November 2025, that he was on his way back to the United States, expressing gratitude to the Trump administration for securing his freedom.

Implications for Kenyan Workers in the Gulf

Mr. Almadi's case serves as a critical cautionary tale for the large and growing Kenyan diaspora in Saudi Arabia. According to a statement by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Tuesday, 19 November 2025, the number of Kenyans living and working in the Kingdom is now estimated at 350,000. These workers, primarily in domestic and service sectors, operate under the same stringent legal environment that criminalized Mr. Almadi's online expression.

Saudi Arabia's Anti-Cyber Crime Law, enacted in 2007, imposes severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines, for a wide range of online activities. Vaguely worded provisions criminalize content that impinges on "public order, religious values, public morals, or privacy." Human rights organizations have documented a sustained crackdown on peaceful dissent, with the law being used to prosecute activists, writers, and ordinary citizens for their social media posts. Amnesty International reported in February 2023 that Saudi authorities had escalated their repression of online expression, sentencing at least 15 individuals in 2022 to prison terms ranging from ten to 45 years for peaceful online activities.

While high-profile cases often involve Western citizens who can leverage diplomatic pressure, the legal framework applies universally. For many Kenyan workers, who may lack the same level of consular access or political leverage, the risks are magnified. The Kafala (sponsorship) system, though subject to recent reforms, still binds migrant workers to their employers, creating vulnerabilities that can discourage reporting of abuses or seeking legal aid.

A Precedent of Diplomatic Intervention

The timing of Mr. Almadi's release, immediately following the Crown Prince's visit to the White House, suggests it was a calculated diplomatic gesture. This highlights a critical disparity: the freedom of foreign nationals can depend heavily on the geopolitical influence of their home country. While Kenya has engaged in bilateral interventions to address the welfare of its citizens, including the repatriation of mothers with undocumented children, its leverage differs significantly from that of the United States.

In a November 2025 parliamentary session, Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa raised concerns about the plight of hundreds of Kenyans detained in Saudi prisons, many for minor immigration offenses, with limited access to consular support. Reports from Kenya's Commission on Administrative Justice have pointed to gaps in the bilateral labour agreements between Kenya and Saudi Arabia, calling for stronger protections and dispute resolution mechanisms.

Human rights groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International continue to document the severe risks for both Saudi citizens and foreign nationals who express dissent. The Almadi case, while a victory for his family, is a stark reminder of the precarious environment for freedom of expression in the Kingdom. For the hundreds of thousands of Kenyans contributing to the Saudi economy, it underscores the urgent need for greater awareness of local laws and robust, proactive diplomatic protection from their government.