Kenya is once again grappling with a cross-border labour crisis following reports of Kenyans stranded in Oman after travelling for work under unclear or illegal arrangements. The situation has triggered high-level diplomatic talks in Nairobi, as the Kenyan government works to secure the safety, rights, and possible repatriation of affected citizens.
The crisis highlights long-standing challenges in labour migration, particularly the misuse of tourist visas for employment, weak recruitment oversight, and misinformation among job seekers.
In response to the growing number of distress calls from Kenyans in Oman, diplomatic consultations have been held in Nairobi involving Kenyan government officials, labour and foreign affairs representatives, and international partners.
The talks focus on; establishing the status and whereabouts of Kenyans stranded in Oman, engaging Omani authorities to address labour and immigration violations, strengthening bilateral labour frameworks to prevent similar incidents and improving pre-departure information and worker protection mechanisms
The Kenyan government has reiterated its commitment to safe, legal, and dignified labour migration, while warning against irregular travel arrangements that expose citizens to exploitation and legal trouble abroad.
At the centre of the Oman labour crisis is a critical legal misunderstanding or deliberate misinformation about the difference between a tourist visa and a work permit.
A tourist visa is issued strictly for visiting, sightseeing, short-term and personal travel. it does not allow any form of employment, signing work contracts, earning wages.
Kenyans who work while on a tourist visa violate immigration laws, making them vulnerable to arrest, deportation, fines, or being stranded without legal protection.
A work permit is a legal document that authorizes employment in a specific country, tied to a registered employer and provides legal protection under labour laws
With a valid work permit, a worker can access legal wages and contracts, seek help from embassies and labour offices and avoid detention or deportation
Without a work permit, workers have no legal standing, even if they were promised jobs by recruiters.
Many stranded Kenyan workers report that they were advised to enter Oman using a tourist visa, promised that work documents would be processed later, charged illegal recruitment fees and abandoned once they arrived
Once immigration authorities intervene, these workers are often left without income, housing, or valid documentation resulting in prolonged distress abroad.
The ongoing diplomatic talks underscore the need for public awareness and stricter regulation. Kenyans seeking jobs abroad are urged to never accept employment on a tourist visa, verify recruiters through approved government channels, demand written contracts and work permits before travelling and follow official labour migration programs and bilateral agreements
The government has also emphasized that no job opportunity should require illegal shortcuts. The labour crisis involving Kenyans stranded in Oman serves as a stark reminder that irregular migration carries severe risks. While diplomatic efforts continue in Nairobi to resolve the current situation, long-term solutions lie in legal migration pathways, informed citizens, and accountable recruitment systems.