Thousands of Kenyans stranded abroad due to abusive employers, fraudulent recruitment agencies and failed labour migration arrangements are increasingly finding themselves without adequate government support.
The state now admits it has no money to respond to such crises of distressed citizens abroad.
Musalia Mudavadi, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, who is also the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, told the Senate on Thursday that Kenya’s diplomatic missions are grappling with severe financial constraints that have weakened emergency interventions for stranded migrant workers, including evacuations, shelter support, legal aid and repatriation efforts.
Mudavadi’s admission before the Senate Standing Committee on Labour Migration, Recruitment and Worker Protection painted a stark picture of a government struggling to keep pace with a growing migrant worker crisis that has seen thousands of Kenyans seek jobs abroad, particularly in Gulf countries, only to end up trapped in exploitative and dangerous conditions.
“The State Department for Diaspora Affairs is mandated to protect Kenyans abroad. However, the department is severely underfunded and is therefore unable to offer requisite support to diaspora in distress,” Mudavadi told senators during his response on the state of Kenyan migrant workers.
His remarks come at a time when Kenya is facing mounting criticism over its handling of labour migration, especially following repeated reports of Kenyan workers being abused, detained, trafficked or abandoned in foreign countries.
In recent years, labour migration has become one of Kenya’s key economic strategies to tackle unemployment and boost foreign exchange earnings through diaspora remittances. Officially known as Kazi Majuu Programme, it has seen government agencies encourage thousands of young Kenyans to leave annually for jobs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and other destinations in search of better opportunities
Although not part of the programme, hundreds of Kenyans have also found themselves at the forefront of Russia’s military aggression with Ukraine, with a majority saying they were duped into accepting other job offers only to find themselves conscripted into the army.
Kenyans injured while fighting for Russia speak, say Mudavadi visit left them feeling more hopeless
Kenyans have also been lured to scam farms in Myanmar, having been duped into false jobs for reaching or marketing.
The more common cases of domestic workers being tortured, salaries withheld, passports confiscated and workers trapped in exploitative contracts have become an almost monthly occurrence in the Gulf. And some workers have died under unclear circumstances, while others remain stranded in detention centres, shelters or employer residences without food, medical care or travel documents.
Embassies overwhelmed by distress cases
Mudavadi acknowledged before the Senate that Kenyan embassies and consulates are overwhelmed by the increasing number of distress cases involving migrant workers.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, missions abroad are often forced to prioritise only the most urgent emergencies due to limited funding allocations.
The shortage of resources has particularly affected rescue operations, temporary accommodation for distressed workers and the repatriation of stranded Kenyans who are unable to finance their return home.
The Cabinet Secretary’s remarks are likely to intensify scrutiny on the government’s labour export programme, which has aggressively promoted overseas jobs as a solution to Kenya’s unemployment crisis.
Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi speaks during a press conference following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, Russia, March 16, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
Human rights organisations and migrant worker advocates have repeatedly accused the State of reacting too slowly when Kenyans abroad raise distress alarms. Critics have long argued that while the government actively facilitates labour migration, it has failed to build sufficient protection mechanisms for workers once they leave the country.
In many cases, stranded workers have resorted to posting emotional videos on social media pleading for rescue after allegedly being abandoned by employers and recruitment agents.
Families back home have also frequently complained about delays in repatriating sick workers and bodies of deceased relatives.
Rogue agencies and trafficking concerns
Mudavadi told senators that the ministry is dealing with increasingly complex labour migration challenges involving transnational trafficking networks and rogue recruitment agencies.
“The Ministry has recorded a marked escalation in fraudulent recruitment and labour exploitation of Kenyan nationals abroad,” he said.
He warned that traffickers and fraudulent recruiters are increasingly using digital platforms and fake online job advertisements to lure unsuspecting Kenyans into exploitative situations.
Senators pressed the government on why cases of abuse continue rising despite existing bilateral labour agreements signed between Kenya and major destination countries.
Kenya has entered into labour agreements with several Gulf nations aimed at improving worker protections, regulating recruitment processes and resolving labour disputes.
Despite these agreements, reports of mistreatment continue to emerge regularly.
Lawmakers questioned whether the government was prioritising remittance inflows over the welfare and safety of migrant workers.
Diaspora remittances versus worker protection
Diaspora remittances remain among Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners, bringing in billions of shillings annually and cushioning many households from economic hardship. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, diaspora remittances to Kenya stood at Sh661.2 billion in 2025.
But labour migration experts argue that the State has not invested proportionately in worker protection infrastructure.
Mudavadi defended the government’s efforts, saying diplomatic missions continue to intervene in distress cases despite financial and operational limitations.
He noted that embassies are facilitating rescues, negotiating with foreign authorities, assisting in legal disputes and coordinating repatriation processes whenever possible.
The ministry is also working with the Ministry of Labour to crack down on rogue recruitment agencies accused of trafficking, fraud and contract substitution.
“The Ministry of Labour has enhanced its oversight on recruitment agencies, leading to suspension of more than 600 agencies for non-compliance with recruitment protocols,” he said.
The Senate hearing highlighted growing pressure on the Kenya Kwanza administration to strengthen labour migration governance as the number of Kenyans seeking jobs abroad continues to rise.
High unemployment, shrinking economic opportunities and the rising cost of living have pushed many young Kenyans to pursue overseas employment despite increasing reports of abuse.
In light of the plight of their compatriots in foreign countries, labour rights groups have increased calls for Parliament to allocate more resources towards migrant worker protection, including strengthening embassy support systems and emergency response mechanisms.
They are also pushing for tougher enforcement against rogue agencies and stronger oversight of labour migration programmes.
Others want the government to establish dedicated emergency funds for distressed migrant workers abroad.
For many stranded Kenyans, however, Mudavadi’s admission that the government lacks sufficient funds to support them may deepen fears that they are largely on their own once a crisis strikes overseas.
