Kenyans living and working in some Gulf countries could face deportation as authorities tighten enforcement against foreigners accused of breaking immigration and labour laws.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Bahrain and Jordan have all stepped up checks on foreign nationals in recent months, with some countries already deporting thousands of people.
Saudi Arabia has recorded some of the biggest numbers.
Between August 20 and 26, the country deported 14,905 people and arrested another 14,434 over various violations.
A large number of those arrested were African nationals accused of trying to enter the country illegally. Ethiopians made up 58 per cent of the 1,450 people arrested in one such operation.
Ugandans have also been caught up in the enforcement operations. At least 118 Ugandans were reportedly among nearly 15,000 people arrested in another Saudi crackdown between July 16 and 22.
The tougher enforcement has also affected Kenyans. In August, a Kenyan woman who had been deported from Saudi Arabia was reunited with her daughter, highlighting the personal impact the measures can have on families back home.
Other Gulf states have also been carrying out their own checks.
In Oman, 11,172 expatriate workers were found to have committed labour violations in the first half of 2026, with 2,944 foreign workers later deported.
Bahrain deported 543 foreigners in August after carrying out more than 3,000 inspections and enforcement campaigns, according to its Labour Market Regulatory Authority.
Jordan has taken a slightly different approach by giving undocumented foreign workers until September 30 to regularise their status. Those who fail to do so could face deportation.
The UAE has also increased its efforts to deal with residency violations. Dubai’s Al Awir deportation and immigration centre handled 11,696 cases in the first half of 2026.
This has become a source of worry for those working outside their home country, especially in countries where they might not have proper documentation to live in the region legally.
The latest move for the citizens of Kenya is to stay up to date with all work and residence documents and adhere to the immigration laws of the Gulf countries.
The raids are taking place at a time when many Kenyans have been looking for job opportunities in the Gulf region.
