Mudavadi on three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has started a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, where he will hold high-level political consultations focused on deepening diplomatic, economic and labour relations between the two countries.

A statement from his office said the July 3-5 visit to Riyadh is part of Kenya's sustained diplomatic engagement with one of its key partners in the Gulf region and is expected to strengthen the longstanding ties between Nairobi and Riyadh.

The statement says the visit underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two countries and forms part of Kenya's efforts to deepen political, economic and people-to-people relations with Saudi Arabia.

During the visit, Mudavadi is expected to hold bilateral consultations with senior Saudi government officials on a wide range of issues, including regional peace and security, international cooperation, labour migration, trade, investment and multilateral collaboration.

A major focus of the discussions will be the welfare of Kenyan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, which the statement says is home to more than 300,000 Kenyans.

"The Prime Cabinet Secretary will advocate for enhanced labour standards, stronger protection of workers' rights, improved dispute resolution mechanisms, ethical recruitment practices, better working conditions and closer cooperation in safeguarding the dignity and welfare of Kenyan nationals employed in the Kingdom," his office said.

The talks are also expected to seek ways of expanding economic cooperation by increasing bilateral trade and attracting more Saudi investment into Kenya.

According to the statement, Kenya will seek greater market access for its premium exports, including tea, cut flowers, fresh fruits, vegetables and other horticultural produce, while exploring opportunities to diversify exports to the Saudi market.

Beyond trade, the consultations will cover cooperation in agriculture and food security, renewable energy, infrastructure development, tourism, health, education and skills development.

Other areas lined up for discussion include the digital economy, logistics, aviation, maritime cooperation, manufacturing and value addition, as well as climate resilience and sustainable development.

The statement further notes that the two countries will review progress under existing bilateral frameworks while identifying new areas of collaboration aimed at accelerating economic growth, creating employment opportunities and promoting shared prosperity.

Saudi Arabia remains one of Kenya's most significant partners in the Middle East, with cooperation spanning trade, investment, labour mobility, development financing and regional diplomacy.

"The visit is expected to further consolidate the strong friendship between the two nations while opening new avenues for mutually beneficial collaboration," the statement says.

The visit aligns with Kenya's broader foreign policy agenda as the government remains committed to pursuing an active, people-centred and economically driven foreign policy that advances the interests of Kenyans at home and abroad.