Saudi Arabia and Kenya have signed a landmark bilateral agreement to regulate the recruitment of Kenyan domestic workers to the Kingdom, aiming to strengthen labour protections, improve transparency and deepen cooperation in workforce mobility between the two countries.

The agreement was signed in Riyadh by Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labour, Abdullah Abuthnain, and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Alfred Mutua.

The signing ceremony, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was witnessed by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi.

The agreement was concluded on the sidelines of the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-Kenyan Political Consultations Committee, underscoring the growing diplomatic and economic partnership between the two countries.

Under the new framework, the recruitment of Kenyan domestic workers will be carried out through a regulated system designed to safeguard the rights and interests of both workers and employers. It also seeks to strengthen contractual arrangements, promote transparency throughout the recruitment process and ensure fair labour practices.

Officials from both countries described the agreement as a significant step toward modernising labour migration governance and improving oversight of the domestic worker recruitment sector.

The initiative is expected to streamline recruitment procedures, strengthen bilateral cooperation and provide greater legal protection for Kenyan nationals seeking employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, while helping address the Kingdom’s demand for domestic workers.

The agreement reflects the shared commitment of Saudi Arabia and Kenya to promoting responsible labour migration and expanding strategic cooperation in employment and workforce development.