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Kenya has reaffirmed its strong commitment to working closely with regional partners under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to promote decent jobs, fair labour practices, and safe movement of workers across the Horn of Africa. Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua made the remarks during the 3rd IGAD Ministerial Conference on Labour, Employment, and Labour Migration held in Nairobi.
Mutua said the meeting represented an important step toward achieving fair employment, good governance, and shared prosperity in the region. He noted that Kenya remains focused on supporting policies that make labour mobility both beneficial and safe for workers and their families. “Kenya is committed to regional cooperation under IGAD’s framework, particularly in advancing human mobility that supports both development and stability,” he said.
He announced that IGAD member countries had agreed to form a united front when negotiating employment terms for citizens working abroad. This, he said, would help ensure that migrant workers from the region enjoy better salaries, benefits, and working conditions. “We have agreed that we will work together under IGAD’s leadership and speak with one voice when negotiating for fair conditions, good pay, and proper treatment for our people working overseas,” Mutua explained.
The Cabinet Secretary said Kenya had also refined its approach to external employment, now calling it “labour mobility” to reflect a more development-centered view of migration. He emphasized, however, that while overseas work opportunities are important, the ultimate goal should be to create enough jobs locally. “At the end of the day, we need to be able to provide enough jobs for our people without sending them away,” he said.
Mutua also raised alarm over the growing cases of human trafficking across the Horn of Africa, describing it as a major regional problem that continues to exploit vulnerable people seeking better opportunities. “Human trafficking continues to be a challenge and has been identified as a leading form of transnational organised crime,” he said. “The region is seen as a source, transit, and destination for people being trafficked and smuggled.”
He revealed that Kenya’s strategic location and strong transport links have made it a preferred route for traffickers. “Kenya has been identified as a major conduit of human trafficking. People come through here because of the ease of communication and access to European and other destinations,” Mutua explained.
According to him, some Kenyans have also been lured into trafficking rings under false promises of well-paying jobs abroad. “They leave with visitor or tourist visas, promised good jobs, but when they arrive, they find themselves in dangerous or exploitative situations,” he said.
Mutua assured the public that the government is taking strong steps to combat trafficking and protect citizens working or seeking work abroad. He reiterated Kenya’s full support for IGAD’s regional migration initiatives, saying such cooperation is vital to ensuring safe, legal, and fair labour migration for all.
“Let me reiterate the Kenyan government’s full support for IGAD’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional migration frameworks and cross-border cooperation that benefits every community,” he concluded.