The government has established labour desks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Moi International Airport in Mombasa in a bid to clamp down on human trafficking operations disguised as labour export.
Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime, while appearing before the National Assembly Labour Committee, said the move is aimed at curbing the activities of fake employment agencies that exploit unsuspecting Kenyans seeking jobs abroad.
“We have put labour desks at JKIA and Moi International Airport in Mombasa to curb human trafficking disguised as labour export,” said PS Mwadime.
The PS added that the State Department for Labour is planning to roll out similar desks at all major points of entry and exit across the country. These stations will serve as checkpoints to verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies and documentation presented by job seekers leaving the country.
In addition, the government is working closely with the German Embassy to streamline access to working visas for Kenyans, part of a broader strategy to promote safe, legal, and dignified labour migration.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the exploitation of Kenyan workers abroad, especially in the Middle East, where cases of abuse by rogue agents have been widely reported.
The government has recently intensified efforts to regulate the labour export industry and ensure better protection for migrant workers, including through bilateral labour agreements and tougher vetting of recruitment firms.
