Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has defended Kenya’s labor migration program to Saudi Arabia following reports by The New York Times that highlighted abuse of Kenyan migrant workers.
Speaking before the National Assembly, Mudavadi described the media claims as “misleading, careless, and sensational,” emphasizing that the government has taken significant steps to protect citizens working abroad.
He said the Kenya Kwanza administration has established clear and structured pathways to ensure that Kenyans can pursue safe and dignified employment overseas.
He said the Kenya Kwanza administration has established clear and structured pathways to ensure that Kenyans can pursue safe and dignified employment overseas.
“Our priority is to safeguard our people and enable them to send remittances home with confidence,” Mudavadi added, highlighting that reforms have strengthened oversight of recruitment agencies.
The NYT report had accused senior Kenyan officials, including relatives of President William Ruto, of benefiting from agencies that export domestic workers to the Middle East.
The NYT report had accused senior Kenyan officials, including relatives of President William Ruto, of benefiting from agencies that export domestic workers to the Middle East.
The investigation also revealed distressing accounts of Kenyan women who suffered physical assault, sexual abuse, unpaid wages, and forced confinement in Saudi households, with some cases resulting in death.
In response, Mudavadi outlined reforms the government has implemented since 2022, including the deregistration of more than 600 recruitment agencies linked to malpractice.
In response, Mudavadi outlined reforms the government has implemented since 2022, including the deregistration of more than 600 recruitment agencies linked to malpractice.
He noted that only vetted agencies are now allowed to operate, and all must provide mandatory insurance for migrant workers at no cost to them. These measures, he said, guarantee safer migration and stronger protection for employees.
Human rights groups have acknowledged the reforms but caution that gaps remain in enforcement. Mudavadi stressed that the government continues to monitor and strengthen the system to ensure abuse is minimized.
He also highlighted the positive impact of the reforms on diaspora remittances, which rose from Sh490 billion in 2022 to over Sh1 trillion by November 2025.
Human rights groups have acknowledged the reforms but caution that gaps remain in enforcement. Mudavadi stressed that the government continues to monitor and strengthen the system to ensure abuse is minimized.
He also highlighted the positive impact of the reforms on diaspora remittances, which rose from Sh490 billion in 2022 to over Sh1 trillion by November 2025.
Mudavadi credited the growth to institutional changes, including the establishment of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs in 2023, which has improved welfare systems and facilitated structured overseas employment channels.
Looking ahead, Mudavadi revealed that Kenya is finalizing a new labor agreement with Saudi Arabia aimed at protecting skilled and semi-skilled workers.
Looking ahead, Mudavadi revealed that Kenya is finalizing a new labor agreement with Saudi Arabia aimed at protecting skilled and semi-skilled workers.
The agreement promises better wages, enhanced protections, and clearer procedures for reporting workplace abuse.
He concluded by reiterating that Kenya remains committed to safe and dignified labor migration, urging the public to distinguish between sensational media reports and the actual steps the government has taken to protect its citizens abroad.
He concluded by reiterating that Kenya remains committed to safe and dignified labor migration, urging the public to distinguish between sensational media reports and the actual steps the government has taken to protect its citizens abroad.
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