Senators have raised fresh concerns over Kenya’s labour migration programme, warning that thousands of young people seeking jobs abroad could be exposed to financial loss, recruitment scams and weak protection systems unless stronger safeguards are put in place.
The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, led by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, on Thursday questioned officials from the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs over how the overseas employment initiative is being managed and monitored.
The programme, which supports Kenyan youth securing work opportunities in countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has so far channelled Sh424 million to 2,944 beneficiaries, according to government figures presented to the committee. Despite the scale of the initiative, senators said gaps in execution could undermine its impact and put applicants at risk.
Nominated Senator Beth Syengo raised concern over administrative delays in releasing funds, warning that slow processing could result in missed job opportunities for applicants already selected by foreign employers.
“What is the typical period between application and disbursement, and what mechanisms are in place to ensure applicants do not miss opportunities because of delays?” she posed.
Officials from YEDF told the Committee that the programme is designed to process payments within 14 days. However, they noted that delays sometimes arise when applicants submit incomplete paperwork or due to cash flow limitations within the revolving fund system.
Questions also emerged over how the government handles cases where beneficiaries receive financial support but ultimately do not travel.
According to the Fund, recruitment agencies involved in placements are required to sign agreements and guarantee refunds if a placement falls through. Recovery efforts, they said, include direct follow-ups, communication through multiple channels, and enforcement through financial institutions where necessary.
Further, Kilifi Senator (Rtd) Justice Stewart Madzayo demanded clarity on whether authorities had taken action against rogue recruitment firms.
“Can you provide examples of cases where fraudulent recruiters have been prosecuted and indicate the outcomes?” he asked.
Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Salim Mvurya, who was also in attendance, told the Committee that enforcement actions had been taken, including the de-registration of more than 1,000 recruitment agencies flagged as non-compliant. He added that prosecution details are held by relevant investigative and justice agencies, and promised to submit further records.
The Committee also raised alarm over reports suggesting that some Kenyans recruited for overseas work may have ended up in conflict-related situations abroad. According to Mvurya, the government had received such reports and responded through diplomatic channels, public awareness campaigns, and coordination with foreign missions, though detailed information lies with security and immigration authorities.
Another point of concern was whether Kenya has a structured emergency evacuation system for citizens who encounter distress while working overseas. Mvurya clarified that YEDF does not operate a dedicated repatriation fund. Instead, emergency assistance is handled through Kenyan embassies, consular services, and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
The Senators further questioned uneven participation in the programme across counties, asking the Ministry to provide a breakdown of uptake and explain regional disparities. The Committee subsequently directed the Ministry to submit detailed reports covering processing timelines, recovery of funds from agents, prosecution of fraudulent recruiters and county-level participation data.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment, reply, and like comments.
Continue with Google