Government Hints at Establishing Safe Houses in the Gulf for Distressed Kenyan Workers

The Kenyan government is committed to improving the lives of its migrant workers, particularly those facing hardship abroad.

Recognizing the vulnerabilities of Kenyans overseas, the Labour Ministry led by Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore has unveiled an initiative aimed at establishing safe houses in the Gulf region. These establishments will specifically target Saudi Arabia where many Kenyan migrant workers have encountered difficulties. These havens will provide temporary refuge and support to distressed individuals. Acknowledging the vital role Labour Attaché offices play in assisting Kenyans abroad, Ms Bore calls for the expansion of such outposts in key destination countries. These offices serve as a crucial link between Kenyan migrants and their home governments.

The impetus for these measures stems from the complex challenges confronting Kenyan migrant workers. These include inadequate working conditions, gaps in governance frameworks, and insufficient legal protections. The growing number of distressed migrants affirms the pressing need for long-term solutions. The Kenyan government’s strategy combines policy reforms, legal adjustments, and institutional improvements to create a more robust support system. The overarching goal of these initiatives is to foster inclusive and sustainable development within Kenya. The National Policy on Labour Migration, currently under review by parliamentary committees, is a key element of this strategy. This policy aims to achieve several vital objectives through the promotion of safe, orderly, and productive labour migration.

Firstly, the policy seeks to enhance coordination within Kenya’s labour migration governance system. Streamlined and transparent processes are seen as crucial for safeguarding the well-being of both migrants and the nation. Secondly, the policy encourages responsible foreign employment opportunities. It seeks to create pathways for Kenyan workers to contribute to other economies while ensuring their rights are protected. Thirdly, the protection of human and labour rights remains a top priority. The policy emphasizes equal treatment and fair working conditions for all migrant workers regardless of their origin. Finally, the policy prioritizes data collection and analysis.

This robust framework will provide insights for informed decision-making and effective policy implementation. The National Policy on Labour Migration takes a comprehensive approach encompassing the entire migrant journey from pre-departure orientation to post-arrival support. This holistic strategy ensures the rights and welfare of migrant workers are protected throughout their migration experience. Kenyan workers are increasingly seeking opportunities in Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. African nations like Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Africa are also destinations for Kenyan migrants. While an exact figure remains elusive, estimates suggest the Kenyan diaspora population has surpassed the 4 million mark.

Labour migration plays a significant role in Kenya’s economic growth and development. It generates essential employment opportunities, facilitates the transfer of skills and technology between nations, and provides foreign exchange through remittances. These remittances from Kenyan diaspora communities have grown substantially rising from Sh104.3 billion in 2012 to a remarkable Sh672 billion in 2023, a sixfold increase.