Kenya President Ruto Announces Major Reforms to Protect and Empower Diaspora Workers

Kenya President Ruto William

President William Ruto has rolled out a new set of policy measures designed to improve the welfare, safety, and economic impact of Kenyans living and working abroad.

Speaking in Doha, Qatar, during an engagement with the Kenyan community on the sidelines of the United Nations Social Development Summit, Ruto said the government has intensified efforts to make labour migration more efficient and better regulated.

A key highlight of the reforms is the reduction of passport processing time from three months to three days for Kenyans with confirmed overseas job offers, an intervention aimed at preventing applicants from losing employment opportunities due to delays.

Ruto also disclosed that over 600 rogue labour recruitment agencies have been deregistered as part of a crackdown on human trafficking, contract fraud, and exploitation. Going forward, deployment of workers will be restricted to countries with formal bilateral labour agreements with Kenya.

He added that the government is negotiating new accords to secure higher-skilled and better-paying roles for Kenyan professionals abroad, ensuring they gain global exposure and return with advanced expertise.

To strengthen financial ties with the diaspora, the President said Kenya is exploring ways to make remittances cheaper and is considering the introduction of a diaspora bond to expand investment options for citizens overseas.

Ruto emphasised that the diaspora is not just a source of remittances, but a strategic economic force that must be supported, protected, and fully integrated into national development planning.