Kenya and Oman Revive Delayed Labour Deal to Protect Workers From Recruitment Fraud

Kenya and Oman are making a fresh attempt to sign a long-delayed labour agreement following reports of Kenyan jobseekers left stranded in Muscat after falling victim to recruitment fraud.

The push to finalise the deal featured in recent talks between Kenya’s Ambassador to Oman, Abdi Aden Korio, and Oman’s Labour Affairs Undersecretary, Khalid bin Salim bin Sulaiman Al-Ghamari. Discussions focused on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding on the Regulation of Employment, which aims to set strict rules for recruitment agencies, employment conditions and worker protections.

The urgency follows an disclosure by Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in February 2026 that several Kenyans were seeking shelter at the embassy in Muscat. The workers had travelled to the Gulf country on false promises of employment from rogue agents.

Addressing the issue in Nairobi, Omani Ambassador to Kenya Nasra Salim Mohamed Al-Hashmi clarified that Oman does not issue tourist visas for employment purposes. She urged Kenyan jobseekers to use official recruitment channels to avoid falling prey to scams.

The bilateral labour framework has been in development for months. During the first Kenya–Oman labour consultations in Muscat in November 2025, delegation leaders Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, and Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime agreed on the need for safer, legal employment pathways alongside Omani officials.

A subsequent Kenyan government progress report confirmed that the text of the agreement was completed and only awaiting formal signing dates. The latest diplomatic meeting signals a push to get the document officially executed.

Migrant rights groups have long urged stronger state intervention. A July 2025 assessment by the International Labour Organization documented widespread problems facing Kenyan workers in the Gulf, including exorbitant recruitment fees, contract substitution, workplace abuse and limited access to legal remedies. The report called for tighter oversight of recruitment agencies, better monitoring and enforceable bilateral treaties.

Oman has recently updated its legal framework to improve conditions for foreign workers. The country introduced a new Labour Law in 2023 to replace its 2003 legislation, strengthening wage protection rules and penalties for non-compliant employers. Oman is also expanding social protection benefits, such as maternity, sickness and employment injury coverage, to foreign workers.

Ambassador Korio welcomed these statutory changes, noting that they provide a stronger foundation for protecting foreign employees once the bilateral agreement comes into force.