Economic Pillar Under Threat

NAIROBI – The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare issued a stark warning on Friday, November 21, 2025, regarding the escalating risks faced by Kenyans working abroad, highlighting a crisis that threatens both human rights and the nation's largest source of foreign exchange. The committee's report underscores a troubling disconnect between the government's labour export policy and the harsh realities of abuse, exploitation, and inadequate protection confronting citizens, particularly in the Middle East.

This issue holds critical importance for Kenya's economy. Diaspora remittances have become the single largest source of foreign exchange, outperforming traditional sectors like tourism and agriculture since 2015. According to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), cumulative inflows for the 12 months leading up to April 2025 reached KSh 749.6 billion (approximately USD 4.997 billion). Projections suggest the total for 2025 could surpass the USD 5 billion mark for the first time, with an estimated four million Kenyans now living and working abroad. These funds are a lifeline, supporting households, funding education, and stabilizing Kenya's foreign exchange market. However, the committee's findings suggest this economic pillar is built on a precarious foundation of human suffering.

A Pattern of Widespread Abuse

The senators' concerns are corroborated by extensive documentation from human rights organizations. A May 2025 report by Amnesty International, based on testimonies from over 70 Kenyan women, detailed experiences in Saudi Arabia that often amounted to forced labour and human trafficking. The report highlighted deceptive recruitment practices, grueling workdays exceeding 16 hours without rest, and the confiscation of passports and phones. A study by NORC at the University of Chicago found that an overwhelming 98.73% of Kenyan migrant workers returning from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reported experiencing at least one form of labour abuse.

Human Rights Watch has also consistently reported on perilous conditions, including unpaid wages for months, gruesome workplace accidents, and inadequate protection from extreme heat, which scientists have shown is intensifying due to climate change. In a June 2025 report, the organization criticized Gulf states for relying on outdated, calendar-based work bans that fail to protect workers from deadly heat, which can cause kidney failure and other chronic illnesses. These reports paint a grim picture that the Senate committee argues can no longer be ignored.

Government Response and Regulatory Gaps

The government has acknowledged the problem and initiated several reforms. Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has announced new policies, including a requirement effective September 2024 that all Kenyans seeking work abroad must obtain a clearance letter from the ministry. This is intended to create a comprehensive database to monitor citizens' welfare. The government also reports having signed six new bilateral labour agreements (BLAs) with countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, and has deregistered over 600 'rogue' recruitment agencies to curb exploitation.

Despite these measures, the Senate committee, chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, expressed concern that implementation and enforcement remain weak. Reports persist of workers being recruited by unlicensed agencies or being trafficked on tourist visas, bypassing official channels. Furthermore, critics argue that even with BLAs in place, the 'Kafala' sponsorship system prevalent in the Middle East ties a worker's legal status to their employer, creating a severe power imbalance that facilitates abuse. The committee has previously launched inquiries into fraudulent overseas job programs and poor conditions in local Export Processing Zones, indicating a broader pattern of challenges in labour rights enforcement.

The Way Forward: Balancing Jobs and Safety

The push for overseas employment is driven by stark domestic realities. With a youth unemployment rate of 67% according to the Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE), and over a million young people entering the job market annually, labour migration is seen as a vital pressure valve. The government aims to send 5,000 to 10,000 Kenyans abroad weekly to alleviate this pressure.

The Senate committee's report calls for a fundamental re-evaluation of this strategy, urging a shift from mere numbers to ensuring the dignity and safety of every worker. Key recommendations include:

• Strengthening Bilateral Agreements: A thorough review of all existing BLAs to include robust, enforceable protection clauses, standardized contracts, and clear dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Enhanced Consular Support: Increased funding and staffing for labour attachés in Kenyan embassies, particularly in high-risk countries, to provide immediate assistance to distressed nationals.
• Stricter Agency Regulation: Rigorous and continuous vetting of all recruitment agencies, with severe penalties for violations, and the creation of a public, real-time database of licensed and blacklisted firms.
• Comprehensive Pre-Departure Training: Mandating accredited training for all migrant workers on their rights, cultural norms, and emergency contacts, as planned by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).

As senators deliberate on the report, the welfare of millions of Kenyans and the stability of a key economic driver hang in the balance. The committee's investigation serves as a critical call to action for the executive to ensure that the pursuit of economic opportunity does not come at the cost of its citizens' fundamental human rights.