Kenya Convenes High-Level Dialogue on Labour Migration Governance

On 13–14 October 2025, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya convened a roundtable in Nairobi, bringing together government institutions, social partners, and development partners to review progress and discuss priorities in labour migration governance. The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to reflect on ongoing initiatives and align efforts in support of Kenya’s labour migration agenda.

Labour migration remains a strategic policy priority for the Government of Kenya, which has set an ambitious target of increasing remittances from migrant workers to one trillion Kenyan shillings by 2028. Multiple institutions, including the Ministries responsible for labour, foreign affairs, interior, and the Attorney General’s Office, play important roles in shaping and implementing migration policies. Recent initiatives aimed at strengthening coordination and service delivery include the establishment of a multi-agency Labour Migration Desk at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and a One Stop Shop within the Ministry of Labour. These efforts are aligned with the Global Labour Market Strategy launched in November 2023, which seeks to expand overseas employment opportunities while enhancing protection for migrant workers.

During the roundtable, participants reviewed recent developments and explored opportunities to expand safe and regular labour migration pathways for Kenyan workers. Discussions emphasized the need to strengthen coordination among institutions and partners to ensure coherent implementation of labour migration policies and programmes. Participants also noted the importance of expanding bilateral partnerships with countries of destination and improving mechanisms to protect Kenyan migrant workers abroad. The role of social partners in promoting fair recruitment practices and supporting migrant workers was underscored as a key component of effective governance.

The meeting further provided an opportunity to examine the contribution of labour migration to addressing unemployment challenges in Kenya, particularly given the limited absorption capacity of the domestic labour market. Participants stressed the importance of diversifying destination labour markets and enhancing institutional collaboration to maximize the benefits of labour migration .

In closing, Joel Mwanzia thanked participants for their engagement and noted that the discussions would inform the development of a communique outlining priority actions for strengthening labour migration governance.

As we move forward, it is important that all stakeholders continue working together to advance Kenya’s labour migration agenda and ensure better protection and opportunities for Kenyan migrant workers,” he noted.