Kenyans Are Encouraged to Work Abroad, but Protection Rights Remain Weak – New Research

Why It Matters

The strategy ties Kenya’s economic growth to Gulf remittances while exposing migrant workers to rights violations, a risk that could undermine the country’s reputation and long‑term labour‑market stability.

Key Takeaways

• Kenya aims for $10 bn annual remittances via Gulf labor migration.
• Over 300,000 Kenyans work in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE by 2025.
• Pre‑departure training reduced despite rising abuse reports.
• Recruitment agencies linked to politicians stall Labour Migration Bill.

Pulse Analysis

Kenya’s renewed focus on Gulf labour migration reflects a broader effort to tackle domestic unemployment by exporting workers. Remittances have surged from under $140 million in 1990 to roughly $5 billion in 2024, now accounting for over 4 % of GDP, and the government hopes to double that figure. The policy hinges on high‑skill and low‑skill placements, especially in domestic service and security, sectors that traditionally generate modest wages but significant foreign exchange. By positioning Saudi Arabia as a "safe" destination, officials aim to attract private investment and reinforce diplomatic ties, while promising Kenyan families a steady income stream.

However, the protective framework remains fragile. A 2023 National Policy on Labour Migration pledged better coordination, safe houses, and increased labour attachés, yet many of these measures have not materialised. Pre‑departure training—once a cornerstone of worker preparedness—was cut back in late 2024, even as reports of forced overtime, contract substitution, and physical abuse persist. The absence of a new bilateral labour agreement with Saudi Arabia further weakens oversight, leaving migrants dependent on often‑unregulated recruitment agencies that have been implicated in rights violations.

The underlying dynamics are political as much as economic. Saudi officials have reportedly pressured Kenyan ministries to portray working conditions positively, while Kenyan politicians own or profit from recruitment firms, creating a conflict of interest that stalls the Labour Migration Bill. This confluence of external demand and internal patronage hampers reforms and risks eroding Kenya’s credibility as a responsible source country. Strengthening bureaucratic controls, reinstating comprehensive training, and ensuring transparent agency licensing could improve worker protection and give Kenya greater leverage in future negotiations with Gulf partners.