President William Ruto has revealed that his administration has deregistered more than 600 rogue labour recruitment agencies in a major crackdown aimed at protecting Kenyans seeking employment opportunities abroad.
Speaking in Doha, Qatar, during a meeting with Kenyans in the diaspora on the sidelines of the United Nations Social Development Summit, Ruto said the reforms are designed to guarantee the safety, dignity, and fairness of Kenyan workers overseas.
“To safeguard Kenyan workers, more than 600 rogue labour agencies have been deregistered. The deployment is now limited to countries with formal bilateral labour agreements with Kenya,” said the President.
The government has now restricted labour deployment to only those countries that have signed formal bilateral agreements with Kenya. This measure, Ruto explained, ensures that the rights of Kenyan workers are protected and that they work under regulated and humane conditions.
Ruto also disclosed that his administration is negotiating new labour agreements with several countries to open up more skilled and professional job opportunities for Kenyans. These partnerships are expected to enable Kenyan youth to access better-paying jobs, acquire valuable skills, and bring home international experience that can contribute to national development.
Additionally, the President said the government has streamlined diaspora services, significantly reducing the passport processing period for Kenyans with confirmed job offers from three months to just three days.
Ruto emphasized that his government is committed to empowering Kenyans in the diaspora by improving remittance systems and creating new investment opportunities, such as the proposed diaspora bond.
“These efforts are part of a broader plan to ensure that Kenyans living and working abroad can thrive while contributing to our country’s economic growth,” he said.
