President William Ruto has taken decisive action to shield Kenyan workers from exploitation by shutting down more than 600 rogue labour recruitment agencies.
The move comes as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the labour migration sector and guarantee the safety and rights of citizens seeking employment overseas.
Addressing Kenyans in the diaspora in Doha, Qatar, during the United Nations Social Development Summit, Ruto said the government is streamlining labour deployment to ensure dignity and fairness for all workers.
“To safeguard Kenyan workers, more than 600 rogue labour agencies have been deregistered. The deployment is now limited to countries with formal bilateral labour agreements with Kenya,” the President said, stressing that only nations with approved agreements can now host Kenyan labour.
He noted that this approach is designed to protect Kenyan employees and ensure their rights are respected in foreign workplaces.
The government is also in the process of negotiating new agreements that will create more opportunities for skilled and professional workers abroad. These deals are intended to give Kenyan youth access to higher-paying jobs, sharpen their skills, and return home with valuable experience that benefits national development.
Ruto highlighted improvements in services for Kenyans living abroad, including more efficient travel documentation. He revealed that the time required to process passports for Kenyans with confirmed employment offers abroad has dropped dramatically from three months to just three days.
“These initiatives are part of a wider plan to support Kenyans living and working outside the country, enabling them to thrive and contribute to the nation’s growth,” Ruto said.
The President also noted that the government is working on measures to make sending money home cheaper and more accessible.
In addition, new avenues for diaspora investment, including a proposed diaspora bond, are being explored to increase the economic impact of Kenyans abroad and strengthen ties with the homeland.
Through these reforms, the government aims to build a safer, more efficient, and productive framework for labour migration, ensuring that Kenyans seeking work internationally are treated with fairness and respect while maximizing their contributions to national development.
