Kenya Strengthens Protection for Workers in Saudi Arabia with 24/7 Hotline
The embassy has urged Kenyans in Saudi Arabia to widely share the hotline to ensure it reaches those who may need urgent assistance.
The Kenyan Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has launched a 24-hour emergency consular service to support Kenyan citizens living in the Kingdom.
The toll-free hotline, reachable via 8001000352, is designed to provide urgent assistance to Kenyans in distress. The initiative forms part of the embassy’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the welfare and rights of Kenyan nationals living and working in Saudi Arabia.
“The Kenya Consulate in Jeddah has launched a toll-free number for emergency consular services available 24/7. We are ready to help you navigate challenges with care and respect. Call us anytime—your safety and well-being matter. Help is just one call away,” the Consulate General of the Republic of Kenya said in a statement issued on Wednesday, January 14.
The embassy has urged Kenyans in Saudi Arabia to widely share the hotline to ensure it reaches those who may need urgent assistance.
With the approaching Umrah peak season and the Hajj, the hotline is expected to be particularly valuable for Kenyan pilgrims, offering improved access to information and timely support from the embassy.
The launch comes amid ongoing government reforms aimed at strengthening the protection of Kenyans working and residing in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf region.
Last month, the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh conducted a mass registration exercise targeting Kenyans classified under Huroob—a designation for foreign workers who leave their employers without authorization. The exercise sought to assist affected nationals in returning home safely.
“Eligible Kenyans are advised to present themselves for Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) processing, with or without a passport, as long as they possess any valid Kenyan identification document such as a National ID, birth certificate, copy of passport (if available), driving licence, or Huduma Card,” the embassy explained.
As part of broader labour reforms, the embassy also informed Kenyan workers that the Saudi government would implement a minimum monthly salary of SAR 1,000 (approximately Ksh34,455) for all employees. Workers were urged to confirm compliance with their employers and report any violations through official embassy channels.
Earlier this month, the embassy further reminded all Kenyan nationals in the Kingdom to strictly adhere to Saudi Arabia’s laws and regulations governing residence and employment.
Kenyans were advised to keep copies of their passports, Iqama (residence permits), and employment contracts at all times; fully understand contractual terms before engagement; and promptly report any salary or contract-related concerns through lawful and established channels.
They were also cautioned against engaging in irregular or unauthorized employment arrangements that could jeopardize their legal status, and encouraged to seek guidance from the embassy before making major employment-related decisions.
“The Embassy remains fully committed to safeguarding the welfare, rights, and dignity of all Kenyan nationals in the Kingdom,” the statement added.
Saudi Arabia is home to an estimated 300,000 Kenyans, making it one of the largest Kenyan diaspora communities. The majority are employed in domestic service, construction, hospitality, and security sectors.