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Kenya Misses Out on 5,000 Gulf Jobs
Kenya has lost 5,000 job opportunities previously allocated by employers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to delays in recruitment processes and documentation setbacks.
HamdanGlobal, a top HR consultancy tasked with hiring workers for elite UAE employers, expressed frustration over the missed deployment, citing slow paperwork and inadequate financial support for potential recruits.
Why Kenya Lost the UAE Job Slots
In a meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, HamdanGlobal executives met with Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) CEO Josiah Moriasi to address the issue and find long-term solutions.
“The delays in processing and financial challenges greatly affected the deployment timeline,” HamdanGlobal representatives said, noting that the firm had already identified and approved 5,000 slots for Kenyans.
Government Vows Labour Mobility Reforms
In response, CEO Moriasi reassured the firm of Kenya’s renewed commitment to labour exports as a government priority. He pledged improved recruitment coordination, faster documentation, and stronger public-private partnerships.
“Labour mobility is now a flagship initiative. We are streamlining processes and expanding resource allocation to meet international employer expectations,” he said.
Hope Ahead: 15,000 Jobs Promised
Encouraged by the reforms, HamdanGlobal pledged up to 15,000 new jobs for Kenyans in upcoming cycles. This move is expected to offer relief to thousands of unemployed youth seeking jobs abroad.
According to Youth Fund Kenya, this initiative will boost Kenya’s footprint in the Gulf labour market and improve livelihoods across the country.
Kenya-UAE Labour Relations
Kenya and the UAE signed a bilateral agreement in 2018 to enhance labour protections and streamline worker transfers. Around 30,000 Kenyans currently work in the UAE in sectors such as hospitality, security, ICT, and aviation.
At the 4th Kenya–UAE Joint Commission for Cooperation in 2024, officials identified mutual qualification recognition and recruitment hurdles as key areas for reform.
About the Youth Enterprise Development Fund
The Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) is a Kenyan state agency founded in 2006 to support youth employment and entrepreneurship. It provides loans, training, and job placement support for thousands of young Kenyans annually.
