Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi speaks to Kenyan Diaspora in Qatar on November 4, 2025. /OPCSMore than 500 Kenyans have been rescued and safely repatriated since 2022 after facing inhumane treatment in their host countries.
Speaking on Wednesday during the third quarterly media engagement, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Diaspora and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi said the government has intensified efforts to protect citizens working abroad, particularly those vulnerable to exploitation by rogue foreign job agencies.
Mudavadi, who was joined by Korir Sing’Oei, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Foreign Affairs, and Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, said these measures are part of ongoing government interventions to safeguard Kenyans.
“The government has to date rescued and repatriated over 500 victims since 2022,” Mudavadi said.
“Relevant government agencies have investigated and delisted close to 600 rogue foreign job agencies. This is not enough, and discussions are ongoing for a proposal to publicly list agencies that exploit the vulnerability of our people.”
Mudavadi cited recent cases where the government facilitated the safe return of citizens in distress.
Among them was a Kenyan woman and her daughter repatriated from Qatar after facing challenging circumstances.
Similarly, a toddler was recently brought back from Jakarta, Indonesia, where his mother was facing imprisonment.
The child was received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and handed over to his grandmother and aunt.
Mudavadi highlighted that in countries like Saudi Arabia, where a large number of Kenyans work, the problem of mothers with undocumented children is common.
“Through bilateral interventions and a drive dubbed Mobile Consular Services, we have conducted DNA tests and collected 707 samples to verify parentage. Positive matches have allowed us to process birth certificates and facilitate immediate repatriation for children and their mothers,” he said.
He also acknowledged the role of the Joint Interdepartmental Working Group, formed in January 2025, which brought together the Kenyan Embassy, Saudi ministries of Foreign Affairs, Labour, Interior and the Saudi General Directorate of Passports.
“Since inception, the deliberate efforts by the JIWG have resulted in the safe repatriation of 59 mothers and 73 children back to Kenya,” Mudavadi noted.
The interventions come against a backdrop of numerous cases where Kenyans have faced inhumane treatment abroad, with some incidents resulting in deaths, particularly in Gulf countries.
The government has previously described these cases as isolated, seeking to assure Kenyans of their safety while promoting its overseas employment programme, Kazi Majuu.
Mudavadi said the government remains committed to protecting Kenyans abroad and urged citizens seeking employment overseas to use official channels and report any cases of exploitation.
