Kenya reaffirms commitment to IGAD cooperation on labour mobility and anti-trafficking measures

Labour and Social Protection, Cabinet Secretary, Alfred Mutua, speaking during the 3rd IGAD Ministerial Conference on Labour, Employment and Labour Migration in Nairobi/HANDOUT

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) framework to promote decent work, fair labour practices, and safe human mobility across the Horn of Africa.

Speaking during the 3rd IGAD Ministerial Conference on Labour, Employment and Labour Migration in Nairobi, Mutua said the discussions marked “a significant step in our collective efforts to enhance decent work for all, good governance, and socio-economic progress in the region.”

He emphasized Kenya’s dedication to advancing human mobility policies that support both development and stability.

“Kenya is committed to regional cooperation under IGAD’s framework, particularly in advancing human mobility that supports both development and stability,” Mutua said.

He announced that member states had agreed to adopt a unified position in negotiating employment terms for citizens working abroad.

“We have agreed today that we will work together with the leadership of IGAD and have one position so that we can negotiate as IGAD for good working conditions, salaries, and packages for people going overseas for short periods,” he noted.

Mutua explained that Kenya had redefined its approach to external employment, referring to it as “labour mobility,” while stressing the need to create sufficient domestic opportunities.

“At the end of the day, we need to be able to provide enough jobs for our people without sending them away,” he said.

The Labour CS also raised concern over the rise in human trafficking across the region, describing it as a major transnational crime that continues to exploit vulnerable migrant workers.

“Human trafficking continues to be a challenge and has been identified as a leading form of transnational organised crime, as the region is perceived to be a source, transit, and destination for migrant workers being trafficked and smuggled,” he said.

Mutua revealed that Kenya has been identified as a key conduit for human trafficking due to its accessibility and global connectivity.

“In Kenya, we are putting measures together because Kenya has been identified as a major conduit of human trafficking. People come through here because of the ease of communication to European and other countries,” he explained.

He added that some Kenyans have fallen victim to trafficking networks after leaving the country under false pretenses.

“They leave with visitor or tourist visas, promised good jobs, but when they get there, they find they are in trouble,” Mutua said.

He concluded by reaffirming Kenya’s full support for IGAD’s ongoing initiatives to operationalize regional migration frameworks and promote cross-border cooperation that benefits all communities.

“Let me reiterate the Kenyan government’s full support for IGAD’s ongoing efforts to operationalize regional migration frameworks and promote cross-border cooperation that leaves no community behind,” he said.