Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has begun an official three-day visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for high-level political consultations expected to focus on labour migration, trade, investment and the welfare of thousands of Kenyans working in the Gulf nation.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The visit, taking place between July 3 and July 5, comes amid growing diplomatic and economic ties between Kenya and Saudi Arabia, which has increasingly become one of Kenya’s key partners in the Middle East.

According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the discussions are aimed at strengthening bilateral relations while expanding cooperation in trade, investment, regional security and labour mobility.

A major focus of the talks will be the welfare and protection of Kenyan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, where more than 300,000 Kenyans are currently employed.

📌 What You Need to Know

Saudi Arabia remains one of Kenya’s most important partners in the Gulf region, with cooperation between the two countries spanning labour migration, investment, trade, development financing and regional diplomacy.

The latest visit follows earlier diplomatic engagements between Kenya and Saudi Arabia held in April this year, when Mudavadi met the newly appointed Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Kenya, Saad Abdullah Al Nofaia, for discussions on strengthening bilateral relations.

During the April meeting, the two leaders explored opportunities for deeper cooperation in trade and investment, particularly in agriculture, livestock products and energy security amid growing concerns over supply chain disruptions linked to instability in parts of the Middle East.

Additionally, the meeting comes against the backdrop of growing public concern in recent years ove r the treatment of some Kenyan workers in Gulf countries, including reports involving labour disputes, exploitation, poor working conditions and delayed salaries.

During the consultations, Mudavadi is expected to push for stronger labour protections, ethical recruitment practices, improved dispute-resolution mechanisms, and enhanced safeguards to protect the dignity and welfare of Kenyan workers in Saudi Arabia.

Kenya is seeking to deepen cooperation with the Gulf nation by increasing bilateral trade and attracting more Saudi investment in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing, and the digital economy.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke