The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has announced that Kenya has secured 293,600 job opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
The announcement was made by the Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Alfred Mutua on X.
Dr. Mutua said that the deal was secured at the Ministry of Labour Offices in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, the Vice Minister for Labour in the presence of other Government officials to address issues affecting Kenyan workers in Saudi Arabia as a way of strengthening bilateral labour cooperation.
“At the Ministry of Labour Offices in Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, the Vice Minister for Labour. The meeting was held in the presence of Kenyan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Amb. Joseph Masila, and other senior Government officials from both countries,” the CS stated.
During the talks the officials also discussed the reopening of Saudi borders to Kenyans, an agreement on the recruitment of skilled workers to Saudi, the welfare and general working conditions of Kenyans employed in the country, improved remuneration, strengthening pre-departure training, expanded employment opportunities and recruitment costs for domestic workers.
The CS noted that opportunities will cover a wide range of occupations, including but not limited to: drivers, care givers, teachers, tutors, construction workers, chefs, waiters, housekeepers, cleaners, general hospitality workers, baristas, fast food workers, house helps, factory and finance workers, homestead cooks, oil and gas experts, and medical care practitioners, including nurses, doctors and laboratory technicians.
The outcome of the engagement led to the signing of a technical annex to the bilateral agreement on the recruitment of domestic workers, originally signed between Kenya and Saudi Arabia on July 5, 2026.
“The annex provides for streamlined recruitment procedures, reduced recruitment costs and adoption of integrated and advanced technical processes. It also seeks to ensure that recruitment and employment are conducted in accordance with approved regulations, while safeguarding the rights of both employers and domestic workers,” Dr. Mutua explained.
He further appreciated the Saudi Government’s commitment to working with the Kenyan Government to create job opportunities.
