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The government is stepping up efforts to protect Kenyan migrant workers by regulating labour recruitment agencies more strictly and forging partnerships with foreign countries to eliminate rogue operators.
Shadrack Mwadime, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Labour and Skills Development, said that going forward, only accredited and compliant agencies will be allowed to facilitate employment opportunities for Kenyans abroad.
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Speaking during an official visit to Oman, Mwadime revealed that Kenya has entered into agreements with several countries to strengthen monitoring systems and ensure that only legitimate recruitment firms—both local and international—operate in the sector.
“One key initiative is the establishment of an Omani visa processing centre in Nairobi,” Mwadime said.
“This will stop rogue agencies from using tourist visas to bring Kenyans to Oman under false pretenses of employment.”
He highlighted that many Kenyans seeking better livelihoods in recent years have fallen prey to unscrupulous agents, traveling on tourist visas and facing exploitation without legal employment protections.
To tackle this, Mwadime explained that the government’s partnership framework includes stricter regulations and joint monitoring of private recruitment agencies in both Kenya and destination countries.
“Our licensed private recruitment agencies must collaborate closely with properly registered and regulated agencies in Oman. This partnership is crucial in identifying and eliminating unregistered actors who exploit job seekers,” he said.
Mwadime also disclosed that Kenya and Oman are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize labour relations between the two nations. The agreement will set clear standards for ethical recruitment and employment of Kenyans in Oman.
“We have invited officials from the Omani Ministry of Labour, including their minister, to Kenya for the MoU signing. This will establish a transparent and secure pathway for Kenyans seeking work opportunities in Oman,” Mwadime said.
The MoU is expected to cover both skilled and semi-skilled jobs, providing formal employment avenues while safeguarding the welfare and rights of Kenyan workers abroad.
Mwadime reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safe, orderly, and beneficial labour migration, emphasizing that every worker leaving Kenya must do so through legitimate and verifiable channels.
The initiative comes in response to rising reports of mistreatment and exploitation of Kenyans in the Middle East, often linked to unlicensed recruitment agencies. Through stricter oversight and bilateral agreements, the government aims to restore integrity in the recruitment sector and enhance Kenya’s reputation as a reliable source of skilled labour.
