President William Ruto has dispatched Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, to Saudi Arabia to lead high-level bilateral talks. The diplomatic mission, which was set in motion on July 3, 2026, represents a major step by the presidency to directly address pressing issues affecting citizens working in the Gulf region.
The three‑day official visit, running from July 3 to July 5, 2026, will be based in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. It comes as Saudi Arabia currently hosts more than 300,000 Kenyan workers. This massive workforce has made the Middle Eastern nation a key focus for Kenya’s foreign labor relations and diaspora engagement.
However, the growing presence of Kenyan citizens in the Gulf state has been accompanied by mounting concerns over labour conditions. Mudavadi is expected to prioritise discussions on enhanced labour protection, improved working conditions, the promotion of ethical recruitment practices, and stronger mechanisms for resolving labour disputes. The President’s Press Service Director, Jacob Ngetich, confirmed that the well‑being of Kenyan workers in the Kingdom is a “key priority” of the talks.
Beyond labour welfare, the visit carries a much broader economic agenda. Kenya is seeking to expand its exports to Saudi Arabia, particularly tea, cut flowers, fresh fruits, and vegetables. At the same time, the government is actively courting Saudi investment in strategic sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism, and the digital economy. The discussions will also touch on regional peace and security, multilateral cooperation, education, healthcare, and climate change.
This high‑profile mission follows earlier diplomatic engagements, including a meeting between Mudavadi and the Saudi Ambassador to Kenya in April 2026, where both sides laid the groundwork for enhanced bilateral cooperation.
As Mudavadi begins his talks in Riyadh, the visit underscores Kenya’s commitment to safeguarding its diaspora citizens while simultaneously deepening economic and diplomatic ties with one of its key Gulf partners.
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