Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has begun a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, where Kenya hopes to strengthen ties with one of its most important partners in the Gulf.
The visit, running from July 3 to July 5 in Riyadh, comes as Nairobi seeks closer cooperation on trade, investment, labour migration and regional security, while also pushing for stronger protections for thousands of Kenyans working in the Kingdom.
According to a statement from Mudavadi’s office, the high-level meetings will focus on expanding political and economic cooperation between the two countries. Discussions are also expected to cover agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism, health, education, digital innovation and climate resilience.
A key item on the agenda will be the welfare of Kenyan migrant workers. Saudi Arabia is home to more than 300,000 Kenyans, many of whom are employed in domestic work, hospitality, construction and other sectors.
“The Prime Cabinet Secretary will advocate for enhanced labour standards, stronger protection of workers’ rights, improved dispute resolution mechanisms, ethical recruitment practices, better working conditions and closer cooperation in safeguarding the dignity and welfare of Kenyan nationals employed in the Kingdom,” his office said.
Kenya is also expected to push for stronger trade ties by seeking wider access for its exports, including tea, cut flowers, fresh fruits, vegetables and other horticultural products. Officials will also explore opportunities to attract more Saudi investment into Kenya across key sectors of the economy.
The consultations will review progress made under existing agreements while identifying new areas of cooperation aimed at creating jobs, boosting trade and supporting economic growth in both countries.
Saudi Arabia has become one of Kenya’s leading partners in the Middle East, with relations extending beyond trade to labour mobility, development financing and regional diplomacy. The two governments have steadily expanded their cooperation in recent years as Kenya looks to deepen its engagement with Gulf nations.
“The visit is expected to further consolidate the strong friendship between the two nations while opening new avenues for mutually beneficial collaboration,” the statement added.
Mudavadi’s trip forms part of Kenya’s wider foreign policy strategy, which places greater emphasis on economic diplomacy, protecting citizens abroad and strengthening partnerships that support the country’s long-term development goals.
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