Kenya is moving closer to securing 293,600 employment opportunities for its citizens in Saudi Arabia following high-level negotiations between the two governments.
The proposed recruitment agreement is expected to expand opportunities for skilled Kenyan professionals in sectors such as healthcare, education, construction, hospitality, transport, manufacturing and finance.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said technical teams from Kenya and Saudi Arabia had been given one month to finalise the agreement, which is also expected to address salaries, recruitment costs and the welfare of Kenyan workers.
Mutua Leads Kenya-Saudi Arabia Labour Negotiations in Riyadh
Mutua led the Kenyan delegation during Thursday, November 12, discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister for Labour, Dr Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain.
The meeting focused on expanding employment opportunities for Kenyans beyond domestic work, with both governments exploring ways to improve access to specialised professions.
According to Mutua, the technical teams from both countries have been tasked with completing the outstanding negotiations within 30 days.
“Our technical teams will finalise the agreement within one month to open up more opportunities for skilled Kenyan professionals in the Saudi labour market,” Mutua stated.
List of 293,600 Jobs Expected in Saudi Arabia
Recruitment agencies operating in Saudi Arabia have committed to opening up 293,600 employment opportunities across several industries.
The proposed opportunities cover the following sectors:
- Healthcare: Medical professionals and other healthcare workers.
- Education: Teachers and academic professionals.
- Construction: Engineers and construction professionals.
- Hospitality and tourism: Workers in hotels and tourism establishments.
- Transport and logistics: Professionals in transportation and supply chain services.
- Manufacturing: Industrial and manufacturing workers.
- Finance: Financial and corporate services professionals.
- Domestic services: Housekeepers and other domestic workers.
The proposed recruitment expansion could provide Kenyan job seekers with access to a wider range of international employment opportunities.
However, the 293,600 figure represents opportunities committed to by recruitment agencies, not confirmation that all the positions have already been advertised or filled.
Saudi Arabia Agrees to Review Salaries for Kenyan Workers
Pay and working conditions also featured prominently in the negotiations.
Saudi authorities agreed to establish a mechanism aimed at improving remuneration packages for Kenyan workers recruited into the Gulf country.
The discussions come amid longstanding concerns about the salaries and treatment of some Kenyan migrant workers.
Reports of mistreatment have previously raised questions about the effectiveness of existing recruitment and worker-protection arrangements.
No revised salary scale or new minimum wage had been finalised at the time of the announcement.
Amnesty International Report Exposes Challenges Facing Kenyan Workers
The negotiations also addressed concerns about the welfare of Kenyans already working in Saudi Arabia.
Mutua raised issues surrounding working conditions and the treatment of migrant workers, following previous reports of exploitation and abuse.
An Amnesty International report published in May 2025 documented several labour violations affecting migrant workers.
These included unpaid wages, excessive working hours, physical abuse, restrictions on movement and employers withholding workers’ passports.
Recruitment costs have also remained a concern.
Some workers previously interviewed in reports said they received assistance with travel documentation without paying recruitment fees. Others reported paying between KSh7,000 and KSh45,000.
There were also reports of recruitment agencies demanding substantial penalties from applicants who withdrew from the process after completing training.
Kenya and Saudi Arabia Sign New Agreement to Protect Domestic Workers
Alongside the latest negotiations, the two governments signed a technical annex to the domestic worker recruitment agreement initially reached in July.
The framework seeks to improve recruitment procedures, reduce excessive charges and strengthen contractual protections for workers and employers.
Mutua said the agreement would introduce streamlined recruitment processes and more advanced technical systems.
“The annex provides for streamlined recruitment procedures, reduced recruitment costs and the adoption of integrated and advanced technical processes,” he stated.
He added that the framework would ensure recruitment and employment arrangements comply with approved regulations while protecting the rights of employers and domestic workers.
When Will the Kenya-Saudi Arabia Jobs Agreement Be Finalised?
The technical teams from both countries have been given one month to complete the outstanding details of the proposed agreement.
Once finalised, the deal is expected to create a broader framework for recruiting Kenyan professionals into Saudi Arabia’s labour market.
However, prospective applicants should wait for official vacancy announcements, approved recruitment procedures and confirmed salary details before making employment arrangements.
The negotiations could open additional opportunities for Kenyans seeking employment abroad, although the actual recruitment process will depend on the final agreement and subsequent implementation.
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