The Government of Kuwait has banned the recruitment of domestic workers from Kenya, dealing a setback to Kenya’s efforts to secure overseas employment opportunities for its citizens.
Under new regulations issued by Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, domestic workers will only be recruited from 10 approved countries, while Kenya is among 27 nations that have been restricted.
Countries still permitted to supply domestic workers to Kuwait include South Africa, Ethiopia, India, the Philippines, Nepal, and Senegal.
The move has raised concerns over the future of employment opportunities for Kenyans in Gulf countries, particularly as remittances from Saudi Arabia have already fallen by more than 52 percent following labor reforms in the kingdom.
For years, thousands of Kenyans have relied on jobs in Gulf nations as a major source of income and support for their families.
