Kenya is set to deepen its labour and economic ties with Qatar following an agreement announced by President William Ruto during his official visit to Doha.
The deal includes the establishment of a Qatar Visa Centre in Nairobi by early 2026 and the creation of approximately 13,000 new jobs for Kenyan workers, thereby increasing the total number of Kenyans employed in Qatar to around 90,000.
On the sidelines of the United Nations Social Development Summit in Doha on November 5, President Ruto held bilateral talks with Qatar’s Minister of Labour, Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri.
The visa centre will serve as a dedicated facility for processing travel and work documentation, reducing delays and curbing exploitation by rogue recruitment agencies.
It is expected to streamline the Labour Mobility Programme and enhance oversight of recruitment practices, a move that aligns with Kenya’s recent crackdown on over 600 unlicensed labour firms.
The additional jobs will span multiple sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, transport, and domestic services.
Roles such as nurses, chefs, drivers, cleaners, and supervisors are among those set aside for Kenyan professionals and semi-skilled workers.
The planned visa centre will serve as a one-stop facility for Kenyans seeking employment opportunities.
In addition, the centre will provide biometric registration, contract verification, and orientation services, ensuring compliance with Qatar’s labour laws and safeguarding workers’ rights.
This development follows growing concerns over cases of mistreatment and contract breaches by dishonest intermediaries, which the government aims to eliminate through tighter regulation.
Ruto in Doha
The discussions also covered broader economic cooperation, with Qatar expressing interest in investing in Kenya’s infrastructure, agriculture, ICT, and finance sectors.
Qatar is exploring participation in Kenya’s mega-dam programme, which aims to irrigate two million acres of land. The country plans to channel capital through Kenya’s Sovereign Wealth Fund and National Infrastructure Fund for large-scale projects in energy and transportation.
Air connectivity featured prominently in the talks, with both nations reaffirming the Kenya Airways–Qatar Airways partnership to boost tourism and trade.
Additionally, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Nairobi International Financial Centre Authority and the Qatar Financial Centre to strengthen Nairobi’s position as a regional financial hub.
President Ruto also met with the Kenyan diaspora in Doha, pledging to expedite passport processing for workers with confirmed job offers, reducing the turnaround time from three months to three days.
He announced plans for a diaspora bond, lower remittance costs, and stricter labour-agency regulation to protect Kenyans abroad.
These measures aim to make migration safer and more beneficial for both workers and the national economy.
If implemented effectively, the initiative will not only create employment but also set a new standard for labour mobility agreements in Africa.
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For thousands of Kenyan families, this partnership represents hope for better livelihoods and global exposure.
Kenyans in Diaspora
More than 4 million Kenyans live abroad; the largest concentrations are in the United States (about 159,000), the United Kingdom (144,000), Canada (80,000–100,000), Australia (60,000), and South Africa (60,000–80,000).
Significant numbers also reside in the Middle East, particularly in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
In 2024, Kenyans abroad sent Ksh640.8 billion, representing an 18% increase from 2023.
For the 12 months ending June 2025, remittances reached Ksh654 billion (US$5.08 billion), accounting for about 4.6% of GDP.
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The United States contributed over half of these inflows, while Saudi Arabia emerged as the second-largest source, surpassing the UK.
Beyond financial contributions, the diaspora influences education, healthcare, and investment in Kenya.
In 2024, 5,694 births of Kenyan children were registered abroad, mainly in the U.S., UK, and UAE, a 15% rise from the previous year.
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