Kenya Strengthens Ties with Saudi Arabia with New Consulate in Jeddah

NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya and Saudi Arabia have taken another step in deepening their diplomatic and trade relations with the opening of a new Kenyan consulate in Jeddah. President William Ruto announced the milestone following a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed Al Khuraiji, at State House, Nairobi.

The new consulate is expected to facilitate smoother travel for Kenyan businesspeople and pilgrims visiting the Kingdom, strengthening the already robust ties between the two nations. Kenya and Saudi Arabia share a long-standing partnership in trade, investment, and cultural exchanges, with thousands of Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia and a growing number of Saudi investors showing interest in Kenya’s economy.

“Our bonds of friendship have been strengthened by the opening of the Kenya Consulate in Jeddah to ease travel for businesspeople and pilgrims,” Ruto stated in a social media post, emphasizing the importance of people-to-people connections in bilateral relations.

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

Saudi Arabia remains one of Kenya’s key trading partners, with significant exports in tea, coffee, and horticultural products, while the Gulf nation continues to supply petroleum and other industrial goods. The latest diplomatic move signals a further commitment to enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, including labor migration, energy, and tourism.

Kenya’s diplomatic presence in Saudi Arabia previously centered on its embassy in Riyadh. The new consulate in Jeddah is expected to provide more accessible consular services, particularly for Kenyan Muslims traveling for Hajj and Umrah.

With growing economic ties and diplomatic engagements, the strengthened relationship between Kenya and Saudi Arabia is set to unlock new opportunities for both nations.

The post Kenya Strengthens Ties with Saudi Arabia with New Consulate in Jeddah appeared first on Vision Newspaper.