National

Report identifies Kilifi, Kwale, Nairobi, Kisumu and Busia as migration hotspots

A crackdown on irregular immigrants by the Kenyan government. File Photo.

By Mary Wambui | Thursday, May 23, 2024

The research discovered that migrants in vulnerable situations in these counties face significant human rights violations, including exploitation, discrimination, and limited access to legal protection.

Kilifi, Kwale, Nairobi, Kisumu, and Busia counties have been named hotspots for mixed migration flows from the East and Horn of Africa regions by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The counties are located along major transit corridors of human migration in the two regions.

Keep reading

In its latest Migrant Protection and Risk Assessment Report released Thursday, IOM sought to identify the protection needs, risks and challenges faced by migrants, returnees and host communities in these areas for necessary recommendations.

It notes that whether the migrants are coming to the country via the listed counties or transiting via them, irregular migration flows are mainly triggered by poverty and lack of livelihood options.

The research discovered that migrants in vulnerable situations in these counties face significant human rights violations, including exploitation, discrimination, and limited access to legal protection.

It also revealed that there were concerns regarding their safety and security, particularly at border crossings that require immediate attention to prevent cases of human trafficking.

"There is a pressing need to strengthen legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard their rights. Promoting social integration and community cohesion is essential to foster a more inclusive environment for migrants through education and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination can play a pivotal role in this process," the report notes.

It further noted that migrants often encounter barriers in accessing crucial services such as healthcare, education, and legal assistance.

To cure these problems, IOM recommended that migrant-friendly service centres be established and training be provided to service providers to meet the specific needs and rights of migrants.

It further recommended that the Kenyan government ratify the Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families and called on international Partners to support the government in building the capacity of national and local government officials regarding child labour, forced labour, and violations of acceptable conditions of work.

The Convention seeks to establish minimum standards that state parties should apply to migrant workers and members of their families, irrespective of their migratory status.

It seeks to ensure that states consider among other things that irregular migrants are frequently exploited and face serious human rights violations and that appropriate action should be encouraged to prevent and eliminate clandestine movements and trafficking in migrant workers while at the same time ensuring the protection of their human rights.

IMO further called on law enforcement officers and the administration of justice sector players to be prioritised in these trainings and that the Directorate of Immigration and Citizen Services create a unit within the One Stop Border Posts where vulnerable migrants are supported.