Lebanon, Myanmar top list of migrant abuse cases as Kenya documents 234 victims
Appearing before parliament on Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said the Ministry’s Secretariat has assisted victims of abuse in several countries, with varying outcomes.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has documented a total of 234 cases of abuse against Kenyan migrant workers from 2019 to date, with Lebanon recording the highest number at 58, followed by Myanmar with 46 and Saudi Arabia with 23.
The cases stem from various forms of exploitation, including labour trafficking, forced prostitution, cybercrime and slavery-like practices. The data, provided by the Counter Trafficking in Persons Secretariat under the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, highlights the plight of Kenyan migrants working abroad.
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According to the Secretariat, the majority of victims have been subjected to forced labour and sexual exploitation. The Secretariat is mandated to coordinate inter-agency activities aimed at combating human trafficking, in line with the Counter Trafficking in Persons Act, 2010.
Appearing before parliament on Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said the Ministry’s Secretariat has assisted victims of abuse in several countries, with varying outcomes.
In 2021/2022, five Kenyan males were repatriated from Turkey after being forced into prostitution. In 2022/2023, ten Kenyans (five males and five females) were rescued from Laos, where they had been exploited in cybercrime operations.
Lebanon emerged as the most affected country, with 58 male victims of labour trafficking and sexual exploitation repatriated to Kenya. He noted that an additional 19 cases from Lebanon are currently being handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate repatriation. Similarly, cases of forced labour and sexual exploitation have been reported in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia, with several victims successfully repatriated.
For 2023/2024, Malaysia recorded 17 cases of labour trafficking, while two cases involving labour trafficking and sexual exploitation were repatriated from an undisclosed location. Two Kenyan males from Saudi Arabia and one male from Jordan, subjected to slavery, were also rescued and returned home.
In the 2024/2025 period, Mutua said efforts are underway to repatriate victims from Oman, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with a total of nine cases currently being processed. India has recorded 14 cases of forced prostitution, while Myanmar remains a hotspot, with 46 Kenyans exploited in cybercrime and slavery-like conditions.
“Of these, 25 individuals are set to be repatriated in early March 2025, while 25 others were successfully returned to Kenya in February 2025,” he said.
The government has emphasised its role in providing support to affected migrants through legal aid, shelters, and repatriation services. The Counter Trafficking in Persons Act, 2010, mandates the establishment of the National Assistance Trust Fund to facilitate the reintegration and rehabilitation of victims.
The Advisory Committee on Counter Trafficking in Persons, comprising representatives from various government departments, law enforcement agencies, and human rights organisations, also continues to play a pivotal role in addressing human trafficking.
Despite these efforts, cases of abuse against Kenyan migrant workers persist, prompting calls for stricter measures to safeguard citizens working abroad.
The Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with other agencies, has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing protections and ensuring that victims receive adequate assistance a
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