Kenya Secures 293,600 Job Opportunities in Saudi Arabia
Labour Secretary Alfred Mutua secured commitments for nearly 300,000 jobs for Kenyans in Saudi Arabia following bilateral negotiations in Riyadh.
Kenya's Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua secured commitments for 293,600 job opportunities for Kenyans in Saudi Arabia during bilateral talks in Riyadh. These positions were pledged by private employment agencies across sectors including healthcare, construction, hospitality, education, finance, oil and gas, and domestic work.
During the engagements, Mutua met with Saudi Vice Minister for Labour Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain. The meetings resulted in a technical annex to a July 2026 bilateral agreement designed to streamline the recruitment of domestic workers and reduce associated costs. Both nations also signed a letter of intent for a three-month pilot program regarding voluntary recruitment fees for domestic workers.
Mutua emphasized that the government's responsibility extends beyond securing jobs to ensuring workers are properly trained, remunerated, and protected through enforceable contracts. Technical teams from both countries intend to finalize a skilled workers recruitment agreement within one month. Additionally, Mutua sought the lifting of Saudi border restrictions previously imposed on Kenya due to Ebola concerns.
