Kenya has lost out on 5,000 job opportunities previously allocated by employers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following delays and inefficiencies in the recruitment process.
HamdanGlobal, a top HR consultancy tasked with sourcing workers for high-profile employers in the UAE, voiced frustration over Kenya’s inability to meet the labor demand. The firm cited sluggish documentation procedures and inadequate financial support for prospective job seekers as key setbacks that hampered deployment.
The issue came to light during a high-level strategic meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, between HamdanGlobal executives and Josiah Moriasi, CEO of Kenya’s Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF). The meeting aimed to review past recruitment challenges and reinforce Kenya’s presence in the UAE labor market.
“Labour mobility is now a key priority under our national agenda,” Moriasi affirmed. He announced a series of new measures to fast-track overseas recruitment, including the simplification of documentation processes, greater resource allocation, improved jobseeker support, and deeper collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
In response, HamdanGlobal expressed optimism and pledged to significantly ramp up future job allocations for Kenyans, with plans to offer between 10,000 to 15,000 opportunities in the next recruitment phases.
This renewed partnership provides hope for thousands of Kenyan youth seeking employment in the Gulf region. According to YEDF, it also marks a strategic push to widen the country’s labor footprint abroad.
Kenya and the UAE have maintained labor relations since signing a bilateral agreement in 2018 aimed at regulating worker migration and protecting domestic labor rights. Despite that framework, challenges persist, particularly around the mutual recognition of qualifications, a major barrier for Kenyans pursuing skilled roles in the UAE.
Currently, around 30,000 Kenyans are employed in the UAE, mainly in sectors such as hospitality, transport, ICT, security, aviation, and education.
YEDF, a state corporation established in 2006 and formalized in 2007, supports Kenyan youth through loans, enterprise support, and job placement programs both locally and abroad. The Fund views the UAE labor market as a critical area for growth and international job creation.
Written By Rodney Mbua
