Innovative steps for migrant workers' success in Kenya

© ILO

© ILO

The Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) programme conducted a monitoring mission in Kenya from August 26 to 31, 2024, to oversee the implementation of BRMM activities, assess progress, and address challenges. The mission team, comprising representatives from ILO and its partners, visited Nairobi and Mombasa to engage with implementing partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries of the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training program. The mission aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the BRMM programme’s interventions, particularly in equipping returned and potential migrants with entrepreneurial skills, and to identify areas for improvement.

During the mission, the team visited the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), the Central Organization of Trade Unions Kenya (COTU-K), Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels Educational Institutions Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), and Longitude Finance Ltd. At NITA, discussions focused on the near completion of the Arabian Model House, which will serve as a training centre for pre-departure and basic training for migrants. NITA is expected to finalize construction, launch the centre, and begin training by November 2024. COTU-K and KUDHEIHA highlighted the achievements of SIYB training, which benefited 660 returned migrants, enhancing their entrepreneurial skills. They noted that the training provided significant opportunities for returned migrants, despite delays caused by recent demonstrations in Kenya.

The mission also identified several challenges in the BRMM programme’s implementation. Key issues included gaps in the utilization of SIYB training materials, the need for enhanced data quality assurance, and the absence of SIYB-certified trainers at KUDHEIHA. In response, ILO and partners committed to improving training and follow-up mechanisms, enhancing data management tools, and providing continuous capacity-building support. Moreover, there was a strong emphasis on addressing the psychosocial needs of returned migrants, which are not currently covered under the SIYB training.

The meeting with Longitude Finance Ltd highlighted the low uptake of business loans among returned migrants, with only 14 beneficiaries receiving loans out of the expected 100 by mid-2024. The team discussed ways to improve awareness and accessibility of loan products, including the development of an online loan application platform and the dissemination of information through beneficiary groups. Despite the challenges, Longitude Finance plans to provide start-up capital to 20 SIYB trainees by the end of September 2024 and aims to enhance support to returned migrants through improved loan facilitation and mentoring services.

Overall, the monitoring mission underscored the need for stronger coordination among implementing partners, enhanced support for returned migrants, and improved data management practices. The team emphasized the importance of addressing identified gaps to ensure the BRMM programme's sustainability and impact on migrant communities in Kenya. By fostering collaboration among partners and enhancing service delivery, the BRMM programme aims to create a more supportive environment for returned and potential migrants to thrive in their entrepreneurial ventures and reintegrate successfully into the local economy.