Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Alfred Mutua has called for safe and legal labour migration as Kenya continues to facilitate overseas employment opportunities for its citizens.

On January 19, 2026, Mutua joined President William Ruto and other government officials at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, for the NYOTA Programme Business Start-Up Capital disbursement ceremony.

During the event, Mutua noted that beyond the over 14,000 young people present, more than 530,000 Kenyans are currently working abroad. He said that to date, approximately 538,000 Kenyans have taken up overseas employment, with an average of 450 to 500 departing daily through Kenyan airports.

CS Mutua’s instructions

“I further emphasised that through the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the National Employment Authority (NEA), all agencies recruiting for overseas jobs are required to post their vacancies on the official NEA portal,” Mutua X post read in part.

“I urged job seekers to always verify both the agencies and the advertised opportunities on the NEA website to confirm their legitimacy, as part of our efforts to protect Kenyans and ensure safe, legal and orderly labour migration.”

Several countries continue to seek Kenyan labour, prompting the government to closely monitor the process and ensure only registered and approved recruitment agencies are involved.

Emphasis on verification and protection

Mutua emphasised that through the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the National Employment Authority (NEA), all agencies recruiting for overseas jobs are required to post their vacancies on the official NEA portal.

He urged job seekers to always verify both the agencies and the advertised opportunities on the NEA website to confirm their legitimacy. This verification forms part of ongoing efforts to protect Kenyans and ensure safe, legal, and orderly labour migration.

Structured approach to labour migration

Kenya’s labour migration framework includes several protective measures, including bilateral agreements with destination countries, pre-departure training for workers, and mechanisms to address risks of exploitation.

The government’s focus is to ensure that overseas employment contributes positively to the economy while safeguarding workers’ rights and welfare.

Through continued monitoring and regulation, Mutua said the government aims to provide orderly channels for labour migration, enabling Kenyan workers to benefit from opportunities abroad while maintaining safety and compliance with legal standards.