Senators raise concern over the rights and welfare of Kenyans working abroad
By Kiprono Keileb, November 21, 2025The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare has raised concerns over rising unemployment among young Kenyans and widespread violations of labour rights for those working abroad.
The warning came during a series of high-level meetings chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor on Friday, November 21, 2025. Labour PS Shadrack Mwadime told the Committee that the country absorbs only a fraction of its annual graduates.
“Only 200,000–250,000 of the one million annual graduates are absorbed into the economy,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention.
PS Mwadime outlined a two-pronged approach to tackle unemployment. “We are expanding overseas job opportunities through bilateral agreements, Kazi Majuu and improving local employability through sector-based skills reforms, Kazi on the Ground,” he said.
He also noted initiatives targeting the digital economy and the hospitality sector. “The Ministry is exploring new job frontiers through the ‘Kazi Mtandaoni’ initiative to boost digital economy opportunities and safeguard workers in digital workspaces. We are also leveraging the ‘Kazi Baharini’ initiative, which emphasises Kenya’s strengths in hospitality and seafaring,” he added.
Senator Murgor raised concerns about the readiness of Kenyans heading to Saudi Arabia for work, prompting PS Mwadime to explain mandatory training for domestic workers.
“Outbound domestic workers undergo mandatory two-week pre-departure training at the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), supported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO),” he said.
Reviewing NYOTA
The Committee also reviewed the World Bank-supported NYOTA programme targeting 800,000 vulnerable youth. Senator Joe Nyutu (Murang’a) pressed for transparency in the youth grants programme, which received over a million applications for 100,000 slots. Melda Angir, NYOTA Project Coordinator, detailed the merit-based selection process, but senators demanded further assurances against bias.
Senators also flagged labour violations in companies, including Shivling Supermarkets in Kisii, where investigations revealed underpayment, excessive hours, and unremitted deductions. KEMRI was cited for mass terminations and failure to comply with Ministry requests.
The Committee said it will summon the CEO for engagement, while inspections at China Square in Kisumu showed compliance, but monitoring will continue.
Members of the Committee reaffirmed their commitment to stronger oversight, insisting that Cabinet Secretaries, not just Principal Secretaries, appear in future hearings to ensure accountability.