Kenyan Labour Migration Programme Under Fire, CS Mutua Reassures Public
By MAXIMILA WAFULA
The County Diary News
Nairobi, 2May 2025- The Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Dr. Alfred N. Mutua, convened a press briefing to address mounting concerns around the Qatar job recruitment initiative.
Key issues highlighted included allegations from job candidates who claimed they were misled during the recruitment process, reports of unauthorized agents and fraudulent messaging targeting job seekers, and the steps the Ministry is taking to ensure safer migration for Kenyans seeking employment abroad.
During the address, Dr. Mutua, alongside Principal Secretary Madhime, defended the government’s labour migration programme and issued a firm warning against the rising trend of exploitation by unregistered recruitment agents.
He maintained that Kenyan workers continue to travel abroad weekly through official channels. All such migrations are processed under valid employment visas—not tourist permits—underscoring the government’s distancing from any incidents linked to human trafficking, which he attributed to unlicensed agents operating online.
The Ministry urged Kenyans to only engage with accredited agencies, citing the risks involved in trusting unknown or unverified recruiters.
According to the Ministry, the Qatar recruitment initiative remains both active and effective. Kenyan workers are now also being posted to countries like Iraq, Algeria, and other regions affiliated with the partnering Qatari firm.
The Ministry emphasized that recruitment is a phased process involving medical tests, visa processing, and logistical coordination for accommodation. As such, delays are expected and often necessary to secure fair wages for Kenyan workers, which has sometimes led to temporary hold-ups in offer letters.
Not every applicant completes the migration journey. Some are turned away due to changes in medical status, personal issues, or behavioral concerns during the final phases of screening. The Ministry stressed the importance of maintaining professional standards that align with host country expectations.
In a decisive move, the Ministry is now collaborating with the Director of Public Prosecutions, Attorney General, and the DCI to prosecute fraudulent recruitment agents. This marks a shift from previous years in which such actors went unpunished, and the Ministry committed to ensuring accountability going forward.
An incident involving Kenyan workers protesting abroad following delays caused by a technical error within a government system nearly resulted in a ban of Kenyan labour by the host country. Unlike their counterparts from Uganda, Ethiopia, and India—who remained calm—some Kenyan recruits resorted to public demonstrations, damaging the country’s reputation.
The Ministry stressed the need for discipline and patience while abroad, encouraging grievances to be handled through official channels or within Kenya.
In conclusion, Dr. Mutua announced plans to expand the programme nationwide and expressed concern over misinformation being spread by certain media outlets and public figures. The Ministry intends to expose individuals orchestrating falsehoods and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Kenyan workers while advancing international job opportunities.
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