Mudavadi Announces Plan to Make Bilateral Deals Publicly Accessible

The Kenyan government is poised to implement a policy of unprecedented transparency regarding its international engagements, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced. 

The initiative will make ratified bilateral treaties and agreements accessible to the public, addressing long-standing concerns over opacity in foreign affairs and labor agreements. The move comes amid growing demands for government openness, with the government planning to launch a dedicated portal within the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, where all ratified agreements will be readily available for public scrutiny. This development is part of a comprehensive effort to reshape Kenya’s foreign policy, underpinned by a sessional paper currently under preparation.

Transparency concerns were amplified by legislators who have pointed out the opaque nature of labour agreements with foreign nations. Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka highlights the vulnerabilities faced by Kenyan migrant workers abroad, attributing their hardships to undisclosed contractual terms. He advocates for transparent labour deals to mitigate exploitation. Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot echoess these concerns, pressing for details on pending bilateral labor agreements and expressing reservations regarding their delayed finalization. 

Given the substantial number of young Kenyans seeking employment opportunities overseas, Cheruiyot emphasizes that clear agreements are essential to protect their welfare. Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale urges Mudavadi to present these agreements before Parliament, allowing lawmakers to conduct thorough reviews. Mudavadi has responded by assuring senators that ongoing digitization efforts would facilitate easy online access to treaties and memoranda of understanding. This access is expected to empower businesses and individuals to engage with foreign markets based on officially recognized agreements.

Kenya has already finalized bilateral labour agreements with Germany and Austria, and an additional 19 agreements are in various stages of development. Mudavadi assures lawmakers that the government is committed to ensuring that all agreements comply with international labour laws and uphold human rights standards. Negotiations are also underway with Saudi Arabia and Qatar to improve conditions for Kenyan workers in those nations.