President William Ruto met with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed Al Khuraiji, at State House, Nairobi, to discuss ways of strengthening diplomatic and trade relations between the two nations.

In a statement shared via his official X on Thursday, March 20, 2025, Ruto said that the meeting reaffirmed the solid and cordial ties Kenya and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed over the years, particularly in trade, investment, and people-to-people interactions.

The president noted that Kenya’s recent opening of a consulate in Jeddah would ease travel for businesspeople and religious pilgrims, further solidifying the countries’ friendship.

“Met Saudi Arabia Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al Khuraiji, State House, Nairobi. Kenya and Saudi Arabia have solid and cordial diplomatic, trade, and people-to-people ties that have boosted relations between our two countries,” Ruto said.

“Our bonds of friendship have been strengthened by the opening of the Kenya Consulate in Jeddah to ease travel for businesspeople and pilgrims.

The meeting signals Kenya’s continued commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and exploring new avenues for mutual benefit.

Ruto on labour migration

On Sunday, October 29, 2023, the head of state said that he learned during his recent trip to the Middle East that the country needs 350,000 workers, preferably Kenyans because they are hardworking.

He noted that he would return to Saudi Arabia to sign bilateral agreements aimed at securing investments and opportunities for Kenyans.

“Last week, I was in Saudi Arabia, and they need 350,000 workers, preferably Kenyans. I will be going back to Saudi Arabia in the next three weeks to sign bilateral agreements,” Ruto said.

At the same time, the Head of State defended his numerous foreign trips, insisting that the visits were for the benefit of Kenyans.

“There are those who say I am flying out a lot, but they forget I’m the country’s chief agent and I have to look for job opportunities for Kenyans,” Ruto said. 

“When I was recently in China, President Xi Jinping welcomed us and said China will help Kenya. He made my work there easier.”

He assured that economic interventions by the Kenya Kwanza government will soon bear fruit.

“Kenya is a blessed country. This country is going to change, I promise you. We have God’s grace, and I have no doubt in my mind,” Ruto stated.

Kenya and Saudi Arabia have solid and cordial diplomatic, trade and people-to-people ties that have boosted relations between our two countries.

Our bonds of friendship have been strengthened by the opening of the Kenya Consulate in Jeddah to ease travel for businesspeople and… pic.twitter.com/HYtGbh15dr

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) March 20, 2025