Kenyan Government Cracks Down on Rogue Agencies as Diaspora Job Placements Top 400,000

Nairobi is intensifying efforts to safeguard Kenyan workers abroad, as evidenced by a recent meeting between Kenyan officials and representatives from GR8 Recruitment, a Channel Islands-based firm. 

The discussions, which included Ambassador Isaiya Kabira, Secretary for Diaspora Investments, Skills, and Entrepreneurship, centred on strengthening bilateral frameworks for ethical labour mobility between Kenya and Jersey and Guernsey, British Crown Dependencies. The meeting occurs amid increased scrutiny of migrant labour conditions, with the Kenyan government addressing recurring reports of exploitation and human trafficking.

GR8 Recruitment, which began operations in 2018, initially focused on supplying skilled workers to Jersey's construction sector, and has since expanded into hospitality recruitment. Managing Director and CEO Lee Madden, alongside Directors of Operations Diane Sumnall (Jersey and Guernsey) and Em Holliday (Rest of the World), engaged with Kenyan officials to refine responsible recruitment protocols and identify new sectors suitable for Kenyan talent. 

The firm promotes its commitment to workers' rights, offering pre-departure briefings and recourse mechanisms for dispute resolution. President William Ruto has emphasised the importance of protecting Kenyan professionals working abroad. Speaking at a recent event hosted by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and the Ministry of Labour, Ruto underscored Kenya's reputation for providing diligent and well-educated professionals. 

"We must know where they are going, who is employing them, what they are being paid and what kind of job they are doing. That way, we can ensure their safety and facilitate their return home when necessary," he said.

These comments reflect a broader government strategy to ensure the well-being of its citizens working overseas, and align with efforts to position Kenya as a reliable source of skilled labour on the global stage. In line with this commitment, the Kenyan government has implemented stricter recruitment protocols. Approximately 900 out of 1,600 private placement agencies have been deregistered for non-compliance and malpractice, shifting towards a more centralised and accountable system. 

International job placements must now be registered via a government portal designed to track and safeguard migrant workers' welfare. Government data suggests that these reforms are yielding positive results. Over the past two years, more than 400,000 Kenyans have secured employment abroad through regulated channels. This has contributed to a substantial increase in diaspora remittances, climbing from Ksh 480 billion in 2022 to Ksh 594 billion in 2024.

Looking ahead, Ruto has announced a national initiative to promote multilingual education. Speaking at the Third National Executive Retreat in Kajiado, he emphasised the need for Kenyans to acquire fluency in languages such as German, French, Chinese, and Spanish to enhance their competitiveness in global job markets. 

"That is our next horizon," Ruto declared, outlining collaboration between the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and language instruction institutions. This initiative is designed to prepare Kenyans for a wider range of international employment opportunities, and to enhance their overall value in the global labour market.