The relationship between Kenya and Qatar continues to flourish as more Kenyans travel to the Gulf country to take up employment opportunities.
On Saturday evening, another group of newly employed Kenyan drivers departed for Doha, joining the growing number of Kenyans building their livelihoods in Qatar. This team is part of the 3,000 Kenyans who were interviewed for various jobs a few months ago.
“We are particularly grateful to the State of Qatar for being a partner in development and collaboration across many areas,” Dr. Alfred Mutua, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection said.
The CS noted that since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2003, the bond between Kenya and Qatar has strengthened, characterized by mutual respect, shared values, and strategic cooperation.
“We deeply appreciate Qatar for hosting almost 70,000 Kenyans, whose contributions benefit both Qatar and Kenya,” added Dr. Mutua.
Are Kenyans working in Qatar safe?
Addressing concerns about the safety of Kenyans in Qatar, Dr. Mutua assured that the nation is safe and hospitable.
“Despite earlier reports, we can confidently confirm that there are no Kenyan refugees in the State of Qatar. All Kenyans in Qatar are either gainfully employed or visiting this beautiful country,” he stated.
Dr. Mutua also highlighted upcoming plans to enhance skilled labour mobility between the two countries.
He noted that soon, he will sign a bilateral agreement with Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al-Marri, Qatar’s Minister of Labour, to open up more job opportunities for Kenyan professionals and skilled workers in Qatar.
“Dr. Al-Marri’s recent visit to Kenya marked the beginning of expanded job opportunities for Kenyan professionals and skilled workers in Qatar,” said Dr. Mutua.
During their recent meeting, the two ministers discussed ways to strengthen bilateral labour cooperation and eliminate challenges hindering the smooth and orderly mobility of labour.
Qatar Visa Centre to be establishment in Nairobi
A key proposal welcomed by Kenya is the establishment of a Qatar Visa Centre (QVC) in Nairobi.
“This initiative will address labour mobility challenges, simplify pre-departure processes, and combat irregular migration while ensuring smooth transitions for Kenyan workers,” Dr. Mutua emphasized.
