Kuwait Bans Recruitment of Domestic Workers From Kenya and 26 Other Countries

Kuwait has introduced new rules that limit the countries from which household workers can be recruited, reducing the approved list to ten nations and suspending recruitment from 27 others.

The Ministry of Interior said the changes are intended to strengthen oversight of domestic worker recruitment, reduce irregularities in hiring, and ensure compliance with health and safety requirements. Under the new framework, employers in Kuwait may recruit domestic workers from South Africa, Benin, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam and Nepal. 

Senegal has also been approved, although recruitment is restricted to male workers. Recruitment procedures will be managed through Kuwait’s governorates in an effort to streamline the process and improve accountability.

The restrictions affect a large number of African countries. Twenty-six nations on the continent have been removed from the recruitment list, including Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bhutan is the only Asian country affected by the changes.

The decision is particularly significant for Kenya, which has long viewed Gulf states as an important destination for migrant workers. Official figures indicate that about 3,500 Kenyans are employed in Kuwait, mainly as housekeepers, nannies, drivers and cleaners. 

Although the new measures are expected to apply mainly to new recruitment, uncertainty remains over whether existing workers will be able to renew their contracts when they expire. The move presents a challenge for Kenya’s labour migration strategy. 

Remittances from overseas workers provide an important source of income for many families, and Kuwait has historically been one of the more accessible Gulf labour markets for Kenyan domestic workers. Recruitment agencies in Nairobi may now need to direct workers towards alternative destinations or employment sectors.

The announcement follows similar labour market reforms across the Gulf region. In Saudi Arabia, authorities have expanded the Saudisation programme, reserving a growing number of administrative support jobs for Saudi citizens. 

Roles including secretaries, receptionists, translators and human resources assistants are now restricted to nationals as part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to increase employment opportunities for citizens and reduce dependence on foreign labour. Companies that fail to comply may face penalties under Saudi labour regulations.