BRMM Engages Media and Universities to Strengthen Labour Migration Awareness in Kenya

In September 2025, the ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme implemented two targeted outreach activities in Kenya aimed at enhancing public understanding of labour migration and promoting informed engagement on the issue. The activities included a media breakfast meeting and a public lecture series in Nairobi organized in collaboration with the University of Nairobi and Mount Kenya University.

The media breakfast meeting, held on 23 September 2025, brought together journalists from print, broadcast, and digital platforms alongside representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, trade unions, employers’ organizations, civil society, and development partners. The session aimed to support accurate, balanced, and evidence-based reporting on labour migration by providing journalists with direct access to technical information, policy updates, and practical reporting tools.

Discussions focused on Kenya’s labour migration landscape, including current policy frameworks, bilateral labour agreements, fair recruitment initiatives, migrant worker protection mechanisms, and the risks associated with irregular migration. Participants were introduced to the ILO media toolkit on labour migration, which outlines ethical reporting standards, appropriate terminology, and approaches for covering migration issues without reinforcing stigma or misinformation. Journalists also shared challenges they face when reporting on labour migration, including limited access to verified data, difficulty reaching official sources, and the need for clearer communication from institutions. The meeting provided space for open dialogue and underscored the importance of continued engagement between the media professionals and labour migration actors.

Complementing the media engagement, BRMM organized a public lecture series on 23 and 24 September 2025, respectively, at the University of Nairobi and Mount Kenya University. These lectures targeted students, who are often directly affected by labour migration decisions, either as prospective migrants or as influencers within their communities. The sessions aimed to provide a clear understanding of the realities of labour migration, differentiate between regular and irregular pathways, and outline the legal, social, and economic implications of migration choices.

Presentations covered regional labour migration trends, common risks faced by migrant workers, and the roles of government institutions and international standards in safeguarding workers’ rights. Particular attention was given to informed decision-making, safe migration practices, and understanding contractual and legal obligations before migrating. The lectures included interactive discussions where students raised questions about employment opportunities abroad, recruitment practices, and the responsibilities of both sending and receiving countries.

Across both activities, participants from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, including Principal Secretary Mr. Shadrack Mwadime, and the ILO, including Ms. Aida Awel, CTA, BRMM Programme, engaged directly with journalists and students. They clarified policy issues, answered questions, and highlighted available information channels and support mechanisms.

Both the media breakfast and public lecture series formed part of BRMM’s broader awareness-raising and outreach efforts in Kenya. By engaging information intermediaries and young people, the programme strengthens understanding, discussion, and reporting on labour migration while supporting informed public dialogue and responsible decision-making.

As part of the outreach, Ms. Aida Awel also gave a brief interview with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), outlining BRMM’s key milestones in Kenya. She emphasized the importance of fair recruitment, highlighted the Government of Kenya’s steps to regulate private employment agencies, and reinforced the rights-based bilateral labour agreements with countries of destination.