NAIROBI, Kenya – Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has warned recruitment agencies exploiting Kenyans seeking overseas employment that they will face government action as Kenya steps up efforts to send at least 10,000 workers to Saudi Arabia every month.
Mutua said the government would tighten oversight of recruitment firms and ensure that Kenyans seeking jobs in the Gulf country use agencies licensed by the National Employment Authority (NEA).
The warning follows a meeting between Mutua and Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister for Human Resources and Social Development, Dr Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, in Riyadh, where the two countries signed a Letter of Intent to expand labour cooperation and make recruitment more affordable and transparent.
“Do not engage unlicensed recruitment agents or individuals purporting to offer jobs in Saudi Arabia. Only deal with recruitment agencies duly licensed by the National Employment Authority (NEA),” Mutua cautioned.
He also urged job seekers not to surrender money or personal documents to individuals promising employment without verifiable job offers and proper documentation.
The Cabinet Secretary warned that the government would take action against agents involved in fraudulent recruitment, exploitation and practices that expose Kenyans to human trafficking and other forms of abuse.
Three-month pilot to reduce recruitment costs
Under the new framework, Kenya and Saudi Arabia will implement an initial three-month pilot programme based on an agreed all-inclusive recruitment cost ceiling.
Participation will be voluntary for recruitment agencies in both countries. Firms willing and able to operate within the proposed cost limit will qualify, while those unable or unwilling to meet the requirements will not be compelled to join.
Mutua said the National Employment Authority had been directed to contact interested Kenyan agencies and collect their details and supporting documents for submission to Saudi authorities.
The information will help identify participating firms and facilitate the processing of job demand orders.
Kenya will also support compliance checks, review the readiness of medical centres and facilitate faster processing of candidates’ documents.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, will work through its embassy in Nairobi to speed up visa processing and facilitate the onboarding of employers and recruitment agencies.
The pilot is expected to be assessed jointly by the two governments after three months to establish recruitment volumes, implementation challenges and its overall effectiveness before any decision is made on an extension or adjustments.
Kenya targets 10,000 Saudi jobs every month
Mutua said the broader objective was to facilitate the recruitment of at least 10,000 Kenyan workers every month, opening up employment opportunities across several sectors of the Saudi economy.
The targeted occupations include drivers, hospitality workers, teachers, tutors, medical practitioners, construction workers, retail employees and professionals in the oil and gas industry.
The initiative is also intended to expand opportunities beyond traditional occupations and improve access to skilled employment for Kenyan professionals.
Separately, Mutua announced that Saudi-based employment agencies had committed to providing 293,600 job opportunities for Kenyans following engagements in Riyadh.
The commitments cover sectors including healthcare, construction, hospitality, education, transport, manufacturing, finance, oil and gas, and domestic work.
The figure represents commitments made by employment companies and should not be confused with a confirmed monthly government recruitment quota.
Kenya and Saudi Arabia strengthen worker protection
The Riyadh engagements also resulted in the signing of a technical annex to the bilateral agreement on domestic worker recruitment, originally signed on July 5, 2026.
According to Saudi Arabia’s official news agency, the annex is intended to streamline recruitment procedures, improve pre-departure training and strengthen awareness of the contractual rights and obligations of employers and workers.
The broader cooperation framework seeks to reduce recruitment costs, improve the efficiency of hiring procedures and strengthen safeguards for Kenyans working abroad.
Mutua said the government wanted overseas employment to translate into better wages, decent working conditions and protection for workers.
“Our broader objective is not simply to facilitate the movement of workers abroad, but to ensure that Kenyans access decent employment, earn better wages and work in conditions that protect their rights and dignity,” he said.
Kenya and Saudi Arabia are expected to continue technical discussions on expanding opportunities for skilled professionals and negotiating better remuneration packages.
The government says the cooperation will support its Kazi Majuu programme while strengthening regulation of recruitment agencies and protecting Kenyans seeking employment outside the country.
