Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has revealed the extent of human trafficking and labour exploitation affecting Kenyans abroad, as the government intensifies efforts to dismantle illegal recruitment networks operating both locally and internationally.
Speaking before the Senate Standing Committee on Labour Migration, Recruitment and Workers Protection, Mudavadi outlined ongoing rescue and repatriation efforts targeting Kenyans trapped in foreign countries through fake job promises, cybercrime syndicates and irregular labour recruitment schemes.
“Our message is clear and firm, we will protect our citizens, dismantle trafficking networks and enforce accountability to end the exploitation of Kenyans seeking opportunities abroad,” Mudavadi said.
According to the CS, Myanmar remains one of the most affected destinations, with more than 751 Kenyans rescued between 2022 and 2026. Out of these, 615 have already been repatriated back to Kenya.
Mudavadi further disclosed that 39 Kenyans remain imprisoned in Myanmar over illegal entry and repeat cybercrime offences, while another 97 are being held in Thailand after illegally crossing the border and are currently awaiting deportation.
In Cambodia, 393 Kenyans were rescued between January and April 2026, with 304 already returned home and the remaining victims still undergoing repatriation procedures.
The government has also facilitated the return of 29 Kenyans from Laos.
Mudavadi noted that Thailand continues to serve as both a destination and transit point for trafficking operations, revealing that 14 Kenyans are currently imprisoned there for possessing forged immigration stamps allegedly acquired through traffickers.
In the State of Qatar, at least 162 Kenyans were trafficked through unregistered recruitment agencies. While many have since returned home, others managed to secure alternative employment opportunities.
The CS also raised alarm over trafficking syndicates targeting Kenyan women with false job offers in India, where 265 victims have so far been rescued and repatriated.
Meanwhile, Kenya has documented 291 cases of irregular military recruitment linked to the Russian Federation, with 53 Kenyans already brought back home.
Back in the country, the government says it has deregistered more than 600 rogue recruitment agencies and prosecuted 87 individuals involved in illegal labour recruitment and trafficking activities.
