The government says it has secured 293,600 job opportunities for Kenyans in Saudi Arabia. Labour CS Alfred Mutua said companies operating in the kingdom made the commitments after he met their representatives in Riyadh, The Star reported. He said the talks were part of the Kazi Majuu programme, which aims to widen access to jobs overseas.
The jobs cover healthcare, construction, hospitality, education, transport, manufacturing, finance, oil and gas, and domestic work. According to The Star, the roles on offer include male and female drivers, caregivers, teachers, tutors, nurses and doctors. Laboratory technicians, construction workers and heavy machinery drivers are also needed. So are chefs, waiters, housekeepers, cleaners, baristas, factory workers, cooks and oil and gas experts.
Mutua met Saudi Vice Minister for Labour Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain. Kenya's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Joseph Masila, also attended. Mutua said the talks covered pay, working conditions, workers' welfare and recruitment standards. They also covered reopening Saudi borders to Kenyan workers. Technical teams from both countries will finalise a recruitment agreement for skilled workers within one month.
The two sides also signed a technical annex to their domestic workers recruitment agreement, first signed on July 5, 2026. Capital FM reported that the annex provides for simpler recruitment procedures, lower recruitment costs and integrated technological processes. It also aims to tighten the regulation of contracts between employers and domestic workers.
A separate letter of intent sets up a three-month pilot on voluntary recruitment fees for domestic workers. Mutua said the fees would be based on market costs. The aim is to keep Kenya competitive with neighbouring and other labour-sending countries. He urged Kenyan recruitment agencies to join the pilot.
Mutua said Saudi Arabia hires an average of 2.5 million new workers every year. He said Kenya wants a bigger share of that market. "Our responsibility does not end with securing job opportunities," he said. He added that Kenyans must be properly trained, paid fairly and protected by enforceable contracts.
Kenya also asked Saudi authorities to lift restrictions imposed after reports of Ebola cases in Kenya. Mutua said the case behind the restrictions had been identified and isolated. He added that Kenya had recorded no community transmission. He said the government looks forward to full access for Kenyan workers being restored.