Saudi Arabia will implement a new minimum salary for all workers, including Kenyan nationals, starting February 2026.
The minimum wage is set at SAR 1,000 per month, equivalent to approximately Ksh34,455, as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing labour reforms following changes to the Kafala system.
“The Embassy wishes to inform all Kenyan workers that, effective February 2026, the Government of Saudi Arabia will implement a minimum salary of SAR 1,000 per month for all workers,” read part of the statement from the Embassy in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia Guidance to Kenyan Workers
The Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh has urged workers to confirm the implementation of the new minimum salary with their employers.
“The Embassy encourages Kenyan workers to verify with their employers regarding the implementation of the new minimum wage and to report any concerns through the Embassy’s official channels,” the statement said.
Workers are advised to raise any issues promptly to ensure compliance and safeguard their rights under the updated labour regulations.
The Embassy emphasised its role in supporting the welfare of Kenyan nationals in the Kingdom.
“The Embassy remains committed to supporting the welfare and rights of all Kenyan nationals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the statement added.
Also Read: How to Get Govt Clearance for Jobs in Saudi Arabia And Qatar
Kenyan workers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new salary regulations and ensure that their employment terms align with the updated minimum wage.
Govt Issues Way Forward on Kenyan Mothers Stranded in Saudi Arabia
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Kathure Njogu, responded to alarming reports that hundreds of Kenyan mothers and their undocumented children remain stranded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the streets of Riyadh and Jeddah.
A recent New York Times report revealed that some of the women and their children sleep outdoors or in informal shelters, with groups gathering near a gas station in Riyadh’s Manfooha district—rumoured to be a deportation point.
Some of the mothers said they are forced to tie their children to trees near gas stations while they search for odd jobs to survive.
Also Read: Govt Addresses Report on Kenyan Mothers Stranded in Saudi Arabia Over Undocumented Children
In a statement on Saturday, November 15, PS Njogu said the government is aware of the concerns and outlined ongoing interventions.
The PS explained that although Kenyan law provides a clear framework for registering births abroad, the process is complicated for single mothers in Saudi Arabia because of local legal restrictions.
She noted that under Saudi law, “pre- or extramarital sex is illegal, and carries severe penalties, including arrest, imprisonment and/or deportation,” which leads many women who conceive out of wedlock to avoid hospitals and deliver at home with unqualified midwives.
Authorities require a marriage certificate to issue a birth certificate, which explains why many of these children remain undocumented.
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