Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Alfred Mutua, announced a bold initiative to increase the number of Kenyans working in Qatar from 67,000 to an impressive 200,000.
This announcement came during a meeting with Qatar Labour Minister Ali Saeed Samikh Al-Marri on Sunday, October 6, 2024, as part of ongoing efforts to combat unemployment in Kenya.
“Currently, there are about 67,000 Kenyans working in Qatar. With this new agreement, we anticipate that number to rise significantly—possibly reaching over 200,000—unlocking a wave of employment opportunities for Kenyan professionals in Qatar’s key development sectors,” Mutua stated.
The proposed increase is tied to plans to amend the bilateral agreement initially signed in 2012, which primarily focused on unskilled labor migration. The new agreement aims to facilitate opportunities for skilled Kenyans, allowing them to contribute to Qatar’s economy and gain valuable experience.
Mutua expressed optimism about the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under discussion, highlighting its potential to provide ethical, well-trained, and adequately prepared workers for Qatar.
“This MoU will open thousands of opportunities for skilled Kenyans while ensuring that our workers are protected and treated fairly,” he asserted.
To further streamline the process for aspiring workers, plans are underway to establish a visa center in Kenya. This initiative follows President William Ruto’s recent announcement regarding job opportunities for Kenyans in Germany.