Members of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Labour have received submissions from key stakeholders on the Labour Migration and Management (No. 2) Bill (Senate Bill No. 46 of 2024), as Parliament continues considering the proposed law aimed at regulating labour migration and protecting Kenyan workers abroad.

The Bill, sponsored by Senator Tabitha Mutinda, seeks to strengthen oversight of labour migration and regulate recruitment for foreign employment.

During a session chaired by Committee Vice Chairperson Fabian Muli (Kangundo) on Thursday, July 2, 2026, stakeholders presented proposals to improve various provisions of the Bill before it is debated by Parliament.

Proposals to strengthen the Bill

The Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC) supported the proposed legislation but recommended that provisions relating to the regulation of private employment agencies be incorporated into the National Employment Authority (NEA) Act.

The Commission also called for the inclusion of fair recruitment safeguards, including a prohibition on unlawful recruitment fees.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) urged lawmakers to adopt a rights-based approach in the Bill rather than focusing primarily on economic remittances.

Presenting the Commission’s submission, Acting Commission Secretary CPA Joseph Ndiku said the proposed law should provide for regulation, safeguards and the facilitation of safe overseas employment.

“Standardising enforcement lays a solid administrative foundation,” Ndiku noted.

The Kenya Association of Private Employment Agencies (KAPEA), led by Chairperson Juma Mwangala, opposed the proposal under Section 42 of the Bill that places the full financial responsibility for repatriating migrant workers on recruitment agencies.

KAPEA instead proposed a shared responsibility framework involving foreign employers, recruitment agencies, mandatory migrant worker insurance and the government’s Emergency Intervention Funds.

Lawmakers said proposals seeking the deletion or replacement of clauses should be accompanied by clear justification showing how the changes would improve the proposed legislation.

The Committee will consider all submissions before preparing a report for tabling in the National Assembly after Parliament resumes from recess.

Labour migration has remained a key government agenda in recent years, with the administration seeking to expand employment opportunities for Kenyans abroad through bilateral labour agreements.

Ruto defends labour migration programme

The parliamentary review comes months after President William Ruto defended the government’s labour migration programme during the 14th International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges World Conference held in Nairobi on November 17, 2025.

Ruto said Kenya had expanded bilateral labour agreements with countries including Germany and Austria, while discussions with Qatar were ongoing.

According to the President, about 430,000 Kenyans secured jobs abroad over the past two years, contributing an additional one billion dollars in diaspora remittances.

“We have migration in a positive sense… we are using it to build our country,” Ruto said.

The government’s labour export programme has also attracted public attention following reports of abuse involving some Kenyan workers in foreign countries.

The government has warned Kenyans against fraudulent recruitment schemes and human trafficking networks, while encouraging job seekers to use licensed recruitment agencies when seeking employment abroad.