President Ruto Signs A New Labour Agreement Deal With Qatar That Seeks To Unlock 13,000 Job Opportunities For Kenyans
Plans are underway to fast-track the operationalisation of a new Qatari visa centre in Nairobi that will bring more job opportunities for Kenyans in the Gulf state.
This follows an agreement between President William Ruto and Qatar Labour Minister Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri for a new visa center to begin operations in early 2026.
The two further agreed to increase the openings for Kenyans by 13,000 across various skill categories, according to a statement released by President Ruto on Wednesday, November 5.
The Head of State noted that the deal was aimed at improving the Labour Mobility Program, which will help Kenyan workers acquire global experience and training that they ultimately bring back home to support Kenya’s development.
As per Ruto, the visa centre will streamline the movement of Kenyan workers to Qatar, eliminate past bottlenecks, and strengthen oversight to safeguard Kenyan workers from rogue recruitment practices.
“We are committed to expanding quality job opportunities for our young people through the Labour Mobility Programme, helping to equip them to acquire global experience and expertise that they ultimately bring back home to support Kenya’s development,” he said.
“Together with the nation of Qatar, we agreed to operationalise a Qatari Visa Centre in Nairobi in early 2026,” Ruto added.
The meeting between Ruto and Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri was held on the sidelines of the United Nations Social Development Summit in Doha.
The deal would bring the total number of Kenyan workers in Qatar to 90,000, with Ruto noting that the move would give more young people access to global employment, competitive earnings, and pathways to uplift their families and communities while contributing to national growth.
The expansion of the Kenya-Qatari bilateral agreements was part of Ruto’s agenda as he headed to Doha to hold several key talks with the Gulf nation.
Since 2024, the government has held several interviews inviting skilled and semi-skilled workers to apply for jobs in Qatar, with interested persons promised good financial perks and living conditions.
Job categories advertised included cleaners, drivers, nurses, demi chefs, chefs de partie, kitchen helpers, bar backs, runners, waitresses, stewarding supervisors, and kids attendants.
Other positions included rigger signalmen, construction helpers, cleaners, storekeepers, electricians, plumbers, masons, tile layers, steel fixers, painters, and welders.
