The Kenyan government has announced a fresh initiative to export labor to the Gulf region, targeting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Under the program, the Ministry of Labour plans to send 500 nannies and 600 motorcycle (boda boda) riders for employment.

Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua confirmed that a Saudi Arabian human resource team is currently in Kenya to urgently recruit nannies, while officials from a UAE-based company will arrive next week to interview prospective boda boda riders.

The job packages offer attractive monthly salaries, with boda boda riders earning up to Ksh. 104,000, and nannies receiving between Ksh. 41,000 and Ksh. 52,000. However, candidates must pay specific fees for the opportunity:

• Boda Boda Riders: Ksh. 167,900 to cover HR provider fees, airfare, medical, and visa processing.
• Nannies: Ksh. 13,500 for medical fees.

This announcement follows the government’s recent decision to temporarily halt mass recruitment for Gulf jobs to process applications from earlier drives. Dr. Mutua explained that the pause aimed to ensure alignment with recruiting agencies' requirements and job seekers' needs.

While the labor export scheme presents economic opportunities for many Kenyans, it also raises questions about job security, working conditions, and costs associated with overseas employment. The government has pledged to address these concerns to ensure fair treatment of workers abroad.