By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, 20 June 2026 - The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Labour has proposed expanding the mandate of the National Employment Authority (NEA) to enhance oversight of labour migration and strengthen protection for Kenyans seeking employment opportunities abroad.
The proposal emerged during a two-day retreat convened to review the Labour Migration and Management (No. 2) Bill, 2024 (Senate Bill No. 42 of 2024), sponsored by Senator Tabitha Mutinda.
During the discussions, committee members raised concerns over the continued role of private recruitment agencies amid growing reports of exploitation, abuse and unfair treatment of Kenyan migrant workers in foreign countries.
Committee Chairperson Ken Chonga (Kilifi South) called for increased funding and greater institutional powers for the NEA, arguing that a stronger authority would be better placed to regulate labour migration and protect workers from unscrupulous recruitment practices.
According to the lawmakers, empowering the NEA would help eliminate rogue agencies that impose excessive charges on job seekers and expose migrant workers to unsafe or exploitative working conditions.
“Strengthening the NEA will address the challenge posed by rogue agencies that demand hefty commissions from Kenyans seeking jobs abroad, locking out those who cannot afford the fees and exposing workers to exploitation,” said Mr Chonga.
The legislators further noted that an expanded NEA mandate would enable the authority to oversee the implementation of bilateral labour agreements between Kenya and destination countries, ensuring that employment opportunities offered to both skilled and unskilled workers meet acceptable labour standards.
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Should the committee’s proposals be incorporated into the Bill, the government would assume a more direct role in safeguarding the welfare of migrant workers, including facilitating repatriation and providing support in cases of distress.
Mr Chonga underscored the vital contribution of Kenyan migrant workers to the national economy through foreign remittances.
“Migrant workers contribute significantly to Kenya’s economic development through remittances. As a country, we must ensure they are adequately protected wherever they work,” he said.
If enacted, the Labour Migration and Management Bill, 2024 is expected to address longstanding regulatory gaps in Kenya’s labour migration framework and provide stronger safeguards for hundreds of thousands of Kenyans working abroad.
According to a parliamentary report, the committee is expected to hold further consultations with the National Employment Authority and the State Department for Labour and Skills Development as it considers measures to enhance the authority’s capacity to protect migrant workers and regulate overseas employment opportunities.