Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua announced the development on Saturday, November 14, after signing a Letter of Intent with Saudi Arabia's Vice Minister for Human Resources and Social Development, Dr Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, during a meeting in Riyadh.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two countries, with an initial three-month pilot programme designed to make recruitment more affordable for Kenyan job seekers.
One of the key measures under the arrangement is the introduction of an agreed ceiling on the total cost of recruitment. The initiative seeks to address expensive recruitment fees that have prevented many Kenyans from accessing employment opportunities abroad.
Mutua explained that reducing these costs would allow workers to retain more of their earnings, save money and invest in their future.
The employment opportunities will cover several sectors of the Saudi Arabian economy, including transport, hospitality, education, healthcare, construction, retail and the oil and gas industry.
Among the targeted professions are drivers, teachers, tutors, medical practitioners, hospitality workers and construction employees.
The government will work through the National Employment Authority (NEA) to identify recruitment agencies interested in participating in the programme. Interested agencies will be required to submit their details and supporting documents for consideration by Saudi authorities.
Participation in the three-month pilot will be voluntary, with agencies expected to demonstrate their ability to operate within the agreed recruitment cost ceiling.
Kenya will also facilitate compliance checks, assess medical centres and accelerate the processing of candidates' documents, while Saudi Arabia will work with its embassy in Nairobi to speed up visa processing.
Meanwhile, Mutua cautioned Kenyans against dealing with unlicensed recruitment agents promising overseas employment. He urged job seekers to verify recruitment agencies through the National Employment Authority before surrendering money or personal documents.
The two governments will review the programme after three months to assess its performance and determine whether it should be extended or adjusted.
The agreement comes as Kenya intensifies efforts to address unemployment by expanding access to international labour markets while seeking better working conditions and remuneration for its citizens.
Link; https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2026-11-14-kenya-targets-10000-monthly-jobs-in-saudi-arabia-under-new-deal?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8yNzUyNTQ2OTI1OTgyNzkAAR8ZPu_uB_oYCCDQ7D6RKpcpjKSouGQNot-aRPiFTM6q4IX2Q30logEEbfyPjw_aem_G8lWN8J-pykXP29KjXKfdQ
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