We are keen on improving workers’ rights-Saudi envoy to Kenya

The Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Kenya, Khalid Salman Al-Salman, has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to upholding the rights and welfare of Kenyan workers in the Gulf state, noting that Saudi Arabia continues to take steps to make the country a better place for foreign workers.

He made the remarks during a courtesy call on the newly appointed Deputy Director-General for the Middle East Affairs Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Ambassador Lindsay Kiptiness.

Their discussions centred on areas of mutual interest aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between Kenya and Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting, both officials commended the cordial ties between the two nations and emphasized the need to continue exploring opportunities for enhanced cooperation.

Ambassador Al-Salman congratulated Kiptiness on his appointment and reaffirmed his readiness to work closely with him in advancing the relationship between the two countries. He noted that Saudi Arabia currently hosts about 300,000 Kenyan workers serving in various sectors, making it the leading destination for Kenyan workers in the Gulf region.

He added that Kenyan workers contribute significantly to Saudi Arabia’s development, while also supporting their families back home. Between 2021 and 2024, Saudi Arabia was a major driver of Kenya’s rising diaspora remittances, which grew from USD 88.32 million (Sh11.41 billion) in January–September 2020 to over USD 300 million in the same period last year.

Responding to media reports on alleged mistreatment of Kenyan workers in the kingdom, Ambassador Al-Salman clarified that claims of single mothers living on the streets were inaccurate. He noted that those individuals were unwilling to return home as they hoped to secure employment, with their priority being to send their children back to Kenya.

“Saudi laws do not permit people to live on the streets. The government operates safe houses (‘Sakan’) that provide free accommodation to distressed individuals pending their repatriation,” he said.

Ambassador Kiptiness emphasized that the Government of Kenya has put robust measures in place to safeguard the welfare and rights of its citizens abroad.

“It will be recalled that the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, during his most recent media briefing, reiterated that the Government of Kenya does not— and has never— neglected its citizens in need of emergency or any other support, wherever they are around the world,” he said.

Diplomatic efforts to deepen ties between Kenya and Saudi Arabia continue to advance, highlighted by the inaugural Joint Commission for Cooperation held in Riyadh in 2022. The meeting explored collaboration in key areas including labour and consular affairs, ICT, transport, and development.