Kenya, Saudi Arabia agree on three-month pilot to review recruitment costs for domestic workers

Kenya and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement on a three-month pilot programme to examine recruitment charges for Kenyan domestic workers employed in the Kingdom. Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua disclosed that the two nations signed a letter of intent allowing for recruitment fees based on market competitiveness. The agreement aims to maintain Kenya's competitiveness against neighboring countries and boost employment for its citizens.

The discussions also led to the signing of a technical annex to the existing bilateral agreement on domestic worker recruitment, signed on July 5, 2026. This annex focuses on simplifying recruitment procedures, lowering recruitment costs, and implementing integrated technological processes. It also aims to strengthen regulation of employer-employee contractual relationships and enhance awareness of rights and obligations.

According to Mutua, the framework is projected to improve recruitment services, increase efficiency, and ensure compliance with approved regulations. Additionally, the two countries discussed enhancing the welfare, remuneration, and working conditions of Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia. The three-month pilot is part of broader initiatives to regulate overseas recruitment and make the Saudi labour market more accessible to Kenyan workers.