Written By Lisa Murimi
President William Ruto has announced that at least 7,000 skilled Kenyan workers could begin working in Qatar by December, following a newly streamlined labor export deal between Kenya and the Gulf state.
This announcement came during a meeting at State House on Monday, where President Ruto hosted Qatar’s Minister of Labour, Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al-Marri.
The President praised the establishment of a Qatar Visa Centre in Nairobi, which will ensure that job contracts for Kenyans working in Qatar are properly signed and documented.
He highlighted that eligible Kenyans from various sectors, including health, ICT, education, and hospitality, would benefit from this opportunity.
“This deal showcases the high-quality skills of Kenyans, who can thrive in any global economy,” President Ruto said, emphasizing Kenya’s growing labor force abroad, currently standing at 4 million.
Labor and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua confirmed ongoing bilateral talks aimed at updating the 2012 agreement with Qatar to accommodate more skilled workers.
Mutua expressed confidence that this would increase the Kenyan workforce in Qatar from 67,000 to 200,000, further boosting employment opportunities for Kenyans abroad.
The deal is part of President Ruto’s broader strategy to expand overseas job markets for Kenyans.
