President William Ruto has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding quality employment opportunities for Kenyan youth through the Labour Mobility Programme.
He said overseas work placements are key to equipping young citizens with global skills and experience.
“We are committed to expanding quality job opportunities for our young people through the Labour Mobility Programme, helping to equip them to acquire global experience and skills that they ultimately bring back home to support Kenya’s development,” the President said.
He spoke after holding a bilateral meeting with Qatar’s Labour Minister Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri on the sidelines of the United Nations Social Development Summit in Doha.
The two leaders agreed on new measures to strengthen labour cooperation.
A major outcome of the meeting was the agreement to operationalise a Qatari Visa Centre in Nairobi by early 2026, a move expected to simplify and fast-track the processing of employment visas, eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, and enhance monitoring to protect Kenyan workers from exploitation by unscrupulous recruiters.
“This milestone will streamline the movement of Kenyan workers to Qatar, eliminate past bottlenecks, and strengthen oversight to safeguard our citizens from rogue recruitment practices,” he said.
Qatar Labour Minister Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri with President William Ruto during a meeting in Doha on November 5, 2025/PCSThe President also welcomed Qatar’s offer of 13,000 additional job opportunities for Kenyan professionals and skilled workers, raising the number of Kenyans employed in the Gulf nation to about 90,000.
“This will give more of our young people access to global employment, competitive earnings, and pathways to uplift their families and communities while contributing to national growth,” he said.
Qatar Labour Minister Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri poses for a photo with President William Ruto during a meeting in Doha on November 5, 2025/PCS
Qatara Labor minister Ali bin Saeed binSamikh Al Marri shakes hands with President William Ruto during a meeting in Doha on November 5, 2025/PCS
Qatar Labor minister Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri with President William Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Chief of strategy execution at the office of the president Adan Mohamed with an unidentified official during a meeting in Doha on November 5, 2025/PCS
