President William Ruto has unveiled sweeping reforms to regulate Kenya’s booming labour export market, aiming to protect migrant workers from exploitation and curb rogue recruitment agencies that have exploited weak oversight.
The announcements came during the launch of Phase Two of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project at Eldoret Sports Club , where the President emphasized a shift toward safe, state-supervised overseas job placements.
“We now have a proper mechanism that will guide Kenyans on safe labour migration,” President Ruto declared. “We want to make sure our people are not mistreated and that when they go to work abroad, their dignity is protected.”
Under the new framework, the government will partner only with countries offering fair labour practices, establish bilateral agreements, and actively monitor the welfare of Kenyans abroad through dedicated communication channels and intervention protocols for reported abuse.
This marks a significant departure from previous ad hoc systems, where workers were often left vulnerable to foreign employers and unscrupulous agents after departure.
Leading the initiative is Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua, whose advocacy has shaped the government’s focus on organized migration as a structured economic sector.
Mutua has long argued for strict regulations, worker safeguards, and pre-departure training, stating in prior engagements: “This programme must flourish because it is about protecting Kenyans, not just exporting labour. Migration should be safe, dignified, and beneficial to both the worker and the country.”
President Ruto also revealed plans for a major incentive to ease financial burdens on job seekers: government support for travel costs, addressing a key obstacle that has deterred many from pursuing opportunities abroad.
The reforms come amid growing concerns over reports of mistreatment and fraud in the labour export sector, as Kenya seeks to transform overseas employment into a reliable pillar of economic growth and remittances.
While the NYOTA Project primarily focuses on youth entrepreneurship and domestic job creation — with disbursements of startup capital underway in Eldoret and other regions — the labour migration announcements highlight the government’s broader strategy to tackle unemployment through both local empowerment and regulated global opportunities.
