Kenya has lost out on 5,000 job slots that had been set aside for its citizens by employers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after setbacks in the recruitment and deployment process hampered progress.

Hamdan Global, a top human resource firm tasked with sourcing labor for leading employers in the UAE, voiced concern over Kenya's inability to deliver on the opportunity.

The firm cited prolonged delays in processing necessary documentation and lack of financial access for job seekers as key challenges that contributed to the failure.

The issue came to the fore during a strategic meeting held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, between Hamdan Global executives and Josiah Moriasi, the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya’s Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF).

The meeting focused on revitalizing Kenya’s participation in the UAE labor market and tackling the barriers that led to the missed opportunities.

Moriasi affirmed that Labour Mobility is now a key priority for the Kenyan government.

He outlined new reforms to enhance the process, including faster documentation procedures, more government resources for recruitment efforts, greater financial support for job seekers, and stronger coordination between government agencies and private recruiters.

Motivated by Kenya’s renewed focus, Hamdan Global committed to expanding its recruitment pipeline for Kenyans, with plans to allocate between 10,000 to 15,000 job slots in upcoming recruitment phases.

The Youth Fund described this renewed partnership as a hopeful turning point for thousands of young Kenyans eager to work abroad, especially in the Gulf region.

Kenya and the UAE have maintained a labor cooperation framework since 2018, when both countries signed a bilateral agreement aimed at enhancing labor relations and protecting domestic workers.

The agreement also seeks to formalize and regulate the flow of Kenyan workers to the UAE.

Currently, around 30,000 Kenyans are employed in the UAE in sectors such as hospitality, transport, ICT, security, aviation, and education.

During the 4th Kenya UAE Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) meeting held from August 11,14, 2024, both governments acknowledged the UAE’s growing demand for skilled labor.

Discussions also centred on eliminating barriers to employment, including the lack of mutual recognition of professional qualifications, which has locked many Kenyan professionals.