What You Need to Know
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has announced measures to protect Kenyans from fraudulent overseas job recruitment, especially in Russia. He highlighted the government’s efforts to support affected families, ensure legal compliance, and strengthen oversight of recruitment practices. Mudavadi emphasized the importance of public awareness and ongoing negotiations for a Bilateral Labour Pact
Africa-Press – Kenya. Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has outlined measures being taken to protect Kenyans from deceptive foreign recruitment, particularly involving operations in Russia.
His comments came on Thursday, during a session before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations.
Mudavadi noted that over 250 Kenyan nationals are reported to have been recruited into Russian Special Military Operations, with some missing or detained abroad.
Addressing concerns about support for affected families, he said: “The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Moscow facilitates the repatriation of rescued Kenyans by issuing Emergency Travel Documents.”
Families are being regularly updated on the status of their relatives through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs or the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow.
A counselling unit provides psycho-social support to both returnees and families of missing or deceased Kenyans. Repatriated individuals undergo structured reintegration programmes to help them resume normal life, including ongoing psycho-social assistance.
Mudavadi confirmed that a proposal is under consideration to ensure all victims receive adequate compensation from the Russian Federation. He advised affected families to report any irregular recruitment to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and to pursue civil remedies against traffickers.
On the legal framework governing foreign employment, Mudavadi highlighted existing laws, including the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act, 2010.
“The law provides penalties ranging from 30 years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment and/or fines of not less than Sh30 million,” he said, emphasising that all forms of human trafficking, including deceptive recruitment, are criminalised.
He noted that the Private Employment Agencies Regulations, 2016, require licensing and verification of overseas job offers. However, Kenya currently lacks a Bilateral Labour Agreement with Russia, although negotiations are underway to finalise one.
Mudavadi also highlighted gaps in legislation, citing lenient penalties for unlicensed recruitment under the Labour Institutions Act, which he argued are insufficient relative to the harm suffered by victims.
The ministry has sought Cabinet approval to accede to international conventions, including the 1989 UN Convention Against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries and the 1977 Organisation of African Unity Convention for the Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa.
“Upon ratification, the instruments will form part of the laws of Kenya pursuant to Article 2 (6) of the Constitution of Kenya,” he said.
He added that this would reinforce Section 68 of the Penal Code, which criminalises enlistment or training of Kenyans in foreign military service without presidential authority.
Mudavadi reported that outcomes of his official visit to Russia had been formally conveyed to the Cabinet Secretaries for Defence, Interior and National Administration, and the Attorney General. Recommendations included developing bilateral legal instruments on Mutual Legal Assistance and the Transfer of Prisoners to enhance cooperation and address emerging concerns.
Strengthening oversight of recruitment practices is also underway. Over 600 rogue or non-compliant private recruitment agencies have been deregistered and shut down. The National Employment Authority now conducts licensing, vetting, and monitoring of agencies, allowing only compliant operators to place Kenyans abroad.
Additional measures include 24-hour call centres to verify job offers, a strengthened Diaspora Placement Agency for government-to-government placements, and pre-departure checks of employment documents at airports. Continuous public awareness campaigns and advisories aim to educate Kenyans on safe recruitment practices, with a focus on risky destinations such as Russia and Southeast Asia.
In conclusion, Mudavadi assured senators that the government will continue engaging the Russian Federation until all willing Kenyans are repatriated.
“We shall continue to ensure that the welfare and rights of our nationals abroad are protected, and will take all necessary measures to ensure their safety, protection, and well-being,” he said.
The issue of Kenyans being misled into dangerous overseas jobs has gained attention in recent years, particularly with reports of individuals being recruited for military operations abroad. The Kenyan government has been working to address these challenges through legal reforms and international cooperation. In response to the growing concerns, officials have emphasized the need for stringent regulations and public education to prevent exploitation of vulnerable citizens seeking employment opportunities abroad.
