NAIROBI — Kenya’s drive to expand labour migration, especially to Gulf countries, is increasingly clashing with weak protections for its citizens abroad, according to new research published on April 12.
The study notes a major shift since the 1990s, with hundreds of thousands of Kenyans now working in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. By 2025, more than 300,000 Kenyans were employed in these destinations, mainly in low-wage jobs such as domestic work and private security.
Remittances have become a key pillar of the economy, rising from under $140 million in 1990 to about $5 billion in 2024, now representing 4.2% of GDP.
However, the report highlights ongoing concerns over abuse, including forced labour, excessive working hours, document confiscation, and restrictions on movement. Cases of intimidation, isolation, and physical and sexual abuse have also been documented.
Public pressure led Kenya to temporarily suspend labour migration to Gulf countries in the early 2010s before lifting the ban in 2016 following bilateral agreements. But the research says enforcement gaps persist, leaving many workers vulnerable despite government efforts to promote overseas employment.
