Kenya, Saudi Arabia Kick Off Job Interviews for Gulf State Opportunities

The Kenyan government, through its State Department for Labour and Skills Development, recently hosted a delegation from Saudi Arabia to conduct interviews for specialist Kenyan nurses seeking employment in the Kingdom.

This initiative stems from agreements made during President William Ruto's visit to Saudi Arabia in November 2023, where a framework for skilled labour exports was established between the two nations. Following this agreement, the Kenyan Labour Ministry announced 2,500 vacancies for nurses in Saudi Arabia, inviting applications for the second batch of healthcare professionals to be sent to the Kingdom. The eligibility criteria for these positions were clearly defined: applicants must be Kenyan female nurses aged 45 or younger, possessing either a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing or a Diploma of Nursing-Midwifery European Union.

Additionally, candidates were required to be registered and licensed by the Nursing Council of Kenya, hold a valid Kenyan passport, and provide a police good conduct clearance certificate. The employment terms offer a renewable one-year contract with an eight-hour daily work schedule. The basic minimum salary is set at 4,110 Saudi Arabian Riyals (SAR), with an annual increment of 295 SAR. At current exchange rates, this translates to an initial annual salary of approximately 141,288 Kenyan Shillings. The package also includes benefits such as paid annual leave and a yearly round-trip economy flight ticket.

President Ruto has actively encouraged Kenyans to seize these opportunities, emphasizing that no work should be considered menial. He urges citizens to promptly apply for available positions. This recruitment drive is part of a broader government strategy to create international employment opportunities for Kenyan professionals, particularly in the healthcare sector. The initiative not only enhances career prospects for Kenyan nurses but also addresses healthcare needs in Saudi Arabia. The Kenyan government has emphasized the significance of safe labour migration and has been working to improve conditions and ensure the well-being of Kenyan workers abroad.

The selection process for these nursing positions is rigorous and designed to ensure that only qualified and competent professionals are chosen. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English, be medically fit, and have experience in hospital-based patient care settings such as inpatient wards, emergency rooms, or intensive care units. Additional requirements include valid Prometric results and a data flow verification report for educational certificates and professional licenses. Successful candidates will be placed in various Saudi Arabian government hospitals, including the Saudi German Hospital, Dallah Hospital, and Kingdom Hospital.

The employment package includes medical insurance, hazard and GOSI insurance, and a Basic Life Support Certificate from either the American Heart Association or the Saudi Heart Association. Upon completion of their contract, nurses will be provided with return air tickets by the recruitment company.