President William Ruto has announced the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kenya and Qatar aimed at boosting job opportunities for skilled Kenyans in Qatar.
The agreement, which will take effect in December 2024, is expected to enhance labour mobility between the two countries and create more professional roles for Kenyans in key sectors.
Speaking after a meeting with a Qatari delegation led by Qatar’s Minister of Labour, Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al-Marri, at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto highlighted the significance of the MoU in creating opportunities for Kenyan workers in Qatar. The meeting was also attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to Kenya, Mohammed Mutair Al-Enazi.
“Kenya and Qatar are strengthening their bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. We are working to eliminate barriers to labour mobility to create job opportunities for skilled Kenyans in Qatar,” President Ruto stated.
Under the new agreement, Kenyan workers will have access to professional roles in sectors such as healthcare, information and communication technology (ICT), education, and hospitality.
They will receive equal pay and benefits comparable to their international counterparts, a major step in improving working conditions for Kenyans abroad.
“This MoU is a milestone for our skilled professionals, who will now have enhanced access to the Qatari job market with better pay and benefits,” Ruto added.
In addition to labour mobility, the discussions also focused on potential Qatari investments in Kenya.
President Ruto and the Qatari delegation explored opportunities for Qatar to support Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, which aims to provide quality housing for low and middle-income Kenyans.
The partnership between Kenya and Qatar is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties in trade, investment, and human capital development.
As Qatar continues to expand its economic footprint, President Ruto emphasized the importance of continued collaboration, particularly in areas that directly benefit Kenyans both at home and abroad.
The agreement comes at a time when Kenya is actively seeking to expand its labour export program and improve the terms of employment for its citizens working abroad.
With Qatar being one of the top destinations for Kenyan expatriates, this MoU is expected to pave the way for greater opportunities and improved labour relations between the two nations.
