Kenya has placed the welfare of its migrant workers and the expansion of trade opportunities at the heart of high-level diplomatic talks as Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi begins a three-day visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The visit, running from July 3 to July 5, signals Nairobi’s renewed push to strengthen engagement with one of its most important partners in the Middle East, with a focus on economic diplomacy and labour mobility.
Saudi Arabia hosts more than 300,000 Kenyan workers, making labour rights and recruitment practices a key agenda item during the consultations.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenya will seek stronger protections for its citizens working in the Kingdom, including improved working conditions, more efficient dispute resolution systems and tighter regulation of recruitment agencies.
“The Prime Cabinet Secretary will advocate for enhanced labour standards, stronger protection of workers’ rights, improved dispute resolution mechanisms, ethical recruitment practices, better working conditions and closer cooperation in safeguarding the dignity and welfare of Kenyan nationals employed in the Kingdom,” the ministry said.
Beyond labour issues, the Riyadh discussions are expected to focus heavily on expanding economic ties between the two countries.
Kenya plans to push for improved access for its agricultural exports, including tea, fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables and other horticultural products, as part of a broader strategy to increase its footprint in the Gulf market.
At the same time, Nairobi will seek to attract increased Saudi investment into key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, logistics and the digital economy.
Officials say the talks are also expected to explore opportunities for diversifying exports while supporting value addition and industrial growth in Kenya.
The bilateral consultations will also cover cooperation in agriculture and food security, renewable energy, aviation, maritime affairs, tourism, health, education and skills development, as well as climate resilience.
Both sides are expected to review progress under existing agreements and identify new areas of collaboration aimed at boosting economic growth, job creation and shared prosperity.
Saudi Arabia remains a key partner for Kenya in the Middle East, with cooperation spanning labour mobility, trade, investment, development financing and regional diplomacy.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said the visit reflects Kenya’s shift toward a more economically driven foreign policy, focused on delivering tangible benefits for citizens both at home and abroad.
Officials say the outcome of the Riyadh consultations is expected to shape future labour agreements and deepen commercial ties between the two countries, particularly at a time when Kenya is seeking to expand employment opportunities for its workforce overseas while attracting foreign capital into its economy.
