Kenya Embassy Steps Up Protection for Workers in Saudi Arabia

Kenya’s embassy in Saudi Arabia has stepped up efforts to protect its citizens working in the Kingdom through a series of meetings with Saudi labour and immigration authorities in Al Qassim Province.

The country’s Chargé d’Affaires in Riyadh, Ambassador (Dr.) Suleiman Roba, led the engagements alongside senior embassy officials. The delegation met representatives from the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Wafideen/Jawazat immigration facility, and the SMASCO Shelter for Domestic Workers. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation to improve the welfare of Kenyan migrant workers.

Ambassador Roba reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to safe and orderly labour migration. He said continued cooperation between the two countries should prioritise the protection of vulnerable members of the Kenyan diaspora. Domestic workers, who make up a large share of Kenyan migrants in Saudi Arabia, continue to face challenges including contract disputes, delayed wages and limited access to legal remedies. 

The embassy said closer engagement with Saudi authorities would help strengthen monitoring and improve access to support for affected workers. The embassy thanked Saudi officials for their cooperation during the meetings and said continued collaboration is essential to improving the welfare of Kenyan nationals in the Kingdom. 

In recent years, Kenyan diplomatic missions across the Gulf have increased outreach efforts by visiting shelters and labour facilities and encouraging workers to seek consular assistance when needed. These measures form part of wider efforts by labour-sending countries to secure stronger protections for their citizens through bilateral cooperation.

Saudi Arabia remains one of the main destinations for Kenyan migrant workers, particularly in the domestic work, construction and service sectors. The scale of this migration has made worker welfare an important part of relations between Nairobi and Riyadh. Kenya continues to promote employment opportunities while seeking stronger safeguards for its citizens working abroad.

The embassy also urged Kenyans in Saudi Arabia to contact consular officials whenever they require assistance. It said protecting the safety, dignity and rights of Kenyan workers remains a priority, while recognising the important contribution that remittances from the Kingdom make to many families in Kenya.