Kenya Intensifies Diaspora Labour Protection With Tighter Controls on Overseas Employment

The Kenyan government has rolled out a far-reaching framework to regulate overseas employment and strengthen protections for citizens working abroad, targeting fraudulent recruiters and long-standing gaps in worker welfare

President William Ruto announced the measures in Eldoret, saying the State is reclaiming control of labour migration by replacing informal pathways with a structured, government-supervised system. The new approach is designed to ensure Kenyans access foreign jobs through transparent channels anchored on bilateral agreements and enforceable labour standards.

Ruto said Kenya will now engage only with destination countries that uphold fair labour practices, stressing that economic opportunity must not come at the cost of dignity or safety. He noted that protecting Kenyans abroad is central to restoring public confidence in labour export as a jobs strategy.

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, who is driving the reforms, described labour migration as an economic sector requiring firm regulation and accountability. He has consistently argued that overseas employment must be safe, dignified and beneficial to both workers and the country.

Under the new framework, the government will actively track the welfare of Kenyans in the diaspora, establish direct reporting channels for abuse, and intervene where exploitation is reported. Recruitment agencies will face stricter licensing rules, alongside tougher penalties for fraud and worker mistreatment.

In a significant policy shift, the government will also support qualified job seekers who secure overseas employment but lack travel funds. Airfare will be facilitated by the State and recovered after employment begins, reducing the risk of workers falling prey to loan sharks and fake agents.

The reforms follow widespread concern over cases of Kenyan workers being mistreated abroad and losing substantial sums to illegal recruitment networks. By centralising recruitment and enforcing government-to-government labour agreements, authorities aim to dismantle the shadow economy surrounding overseas jobs.

The administration says the success of the diaspora labour protection drive will depend on enforcement, transparency and sustained political will. If implemented as planned, the reforms could turn labour export into a regulated and reliable economic pillar while safeguarding the rights and welfare of Kenyans working abroad.