By Nuru Salim
Private employment agencies have urged the national government to fast-track diplomatic negotiations with Saudi Arabia to lift the travel ban imposed on Kenyan travellers following an Ebola outbreak.
The appeal comes amid fears that more than 50,000 processed Saudi work visas could expire if the suspension is not lifted soon.
Saudi Arabia suspended all categories of visas for Kenyan travellers on October 30.
Speaking in Mombasa County, the Kenya Association of Private Employment Agencies Supervisory Committee Chair Mwalimu Mwaguzo said thousands of job seekers who had completed all requirements are stranded, with some visas left with only weeks before they lapse.
"We have over 50,000 visas which are already processed and right now we can't move on with the process," Mwaguzo said.
Mwaguzo said some workers had reached airports before being turned back, while others who had already landed in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were returned home.
He urged the Cabinet Secretary for Health Dr. Aden Duale to hasten dialogue with Riyadh and Kuwait, noting that the government had already declared the outbreak contained. 
He also feared other Gulf states could introduce similar bans. 
Mwaguzo asked affected workers to remain patient and cooperate with their agencies as they await the lifting of the restrictions.
KAPEA Chairperson Juma Omar Mwangala commended the Ministry of Health and response teams for tracing all 135 identified contacts, discharging recovered patients and releasing people who completed quarantine. 
He also recognised efforts by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in engaging Saudi counterparts.
"We can protect public health while preserving the opportunities and long-time ties that connect the people of Kenya and Saudi Arabia," Mwangala said.
He noted that the disruption cuts both ways adding that both Saudi employers and families who invested time and resources in visa processing and interviews are equally affected.
However, Mwaguzo said Kenyan agencies have suffered heavy losses on air tickets, transport, medical examinations and recruitment arrangements.
With the Islamic Holy month of Ramadhan approaching, Mwangala said a timely resolution would matter for families and employers preparing to receive workers, and for travellers heading to Saudi Arabia for religious and family engagements.
Mwangala said the issue should be addressed soon enough so that Muslims planning Umrah and Hajj are not affected.
Former KAPEA chair Abdalla Mohammed Naim said the impact extends well beyond recruiters.
"A lot of sectors have incurred losses, including both governments," he said.
Naim said the agency remain hopeful the ban will soon be lifted, citing Kenya's progress in containing the disease.