Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has strongly refuted recent claims by the New York Times that implicated President William Ruto’s family in Kenya’s labour export industry. Speaking before the National Assembly on Wednesday, November 19, Mudavadi stressed that the Kenyan government had implemented robust measures to ensure the safety of citizens working abroad.
“The claims suggesting that the Government has participated in or tolerated exploitation or slavery of Kenyans abroad are misleading, careless, and sensational,” Mudavadi said, reiterating the administration’s commitment to protect its citizens while expanding opportunities globally.
The New York Times investigation alleged that several government officials and members of President Ruto’s family were involved in recruitment agencies sending Kenyans to Saudi Arabia without adequate preparation or protection. The report highlighted the plight of unwed Kenyan mothers left homeless in Riyadh due to delayed embassy interventions, raising concerns over the welfare of the country’s diaspora.
In response, Mudavadi outlined measures taken by the government, including the deregistration of over 600 rogue recruitment agencies. He emphasized that licensed agencies are now required to provide insurance at no cost to Kenyan workers.
Mudavadi also highlighted the creation of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs—the first of its kind in Kenya—which champions the rights of citizens abroad. The department has overseen a significant increase in diaspora remittances, from Ksh490 billion in 2022 to Ksh650 billion in 2024, with a national target of Ksh1 trillion by 2027. Labour has now become Kenya’s largest export, surpassing tea and coffee.
Addressing concerns over wages, Mudavadi noted that the average monthly pay for Kenyan workers abroad recently rose from Ksh31,000 to Ksh34,000. He warned that excessive wage hikes could push employers to seek cheaper labour from neighboring countries like Burundi and Ethiopia.
Mudavadi concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguard citizens abroad, elevate Kenya’s global reputation, and ensure that every Kenyan working overseas does so with dignity and security.
