Nairobi: The government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening structured labour migration as a central pillar of its economic agenda, with a focus on creating opportunities for the youth, safeguarding Kenyan workers abroad, and converting remittances into long-term investments that fuel national growth.
According to Kenya News Agency, Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary (PS) Shadrack Mwadime stated that Kenya's policy is anchored on circular migration, where workers take up short-term contracts abroad, acquire skills and savings, and return home to help grow the economy. Mwadime emphasized that the nation does not seek permanent migration but rather aims for its youth to gain advanced technologies, save, and return as investors.
Mwadime spoke in Nairobi during a media briefing on enhancing the reporting of migration issues, emphasizing that migration should be viewed as an economic opportunity rather than a political issue. He highlighted Kenya's youthful population, with 75 percent under the age of 35, as a demographic advantage over ageing economies in the West.
Citing China and South Korea as examples, Mwadime underscored the benefits of sending youth abroad for skills and education. He noted that Kenyans abroad remitted 5 billion US dollars in 2024, up from 4.3 billion the previous year, which accounted for five percent of the country's savings. The PS stressed the importance of increasing this to 10 percent, equating it to a quarter of Kenya's national budget.
Mwadime announced government reforms to enhance the impact of remittances by introducing diaspora bonds, tax incentives, and investment packages, encouraging overseas Kenyans to invest in productive ventures back home. He also highlighted Kenya's Bilateral Labour Agreements with countries like Germany and Brazil, which are not limited to domestic workers but also cover skilled professionals.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Chief Technical Advisor, Aida Awel, urged journalists to present migration in a balanced manner, noting that remittances to Kenya surpassed tea and tourism earnings in 2024. However, she highlighted migrants' vulnerabilities, particularly in the face of unregulated recruitment agencies.
Awel commended Kenya for ratifying ILO Conventions on migrant workers and advancing frameworks under the African Union and East African Community. However, she stressed the importance of implementing these policies to protect workers.
ILO Communications Officer Yonas Berhane introduced a media toolkit developed with journalists and the International Federation of Journalists, aimed at guiding ethical, fact-based reporting on migration. Berhane emphasized the need for media to counter xenophobia, racism, and stigma, urging reporters to highlight how migrants support their families and national economies.
Participants at the meeting underscored the importance of a well-managed migration system for Kenya's development, with the government focusing on protecting workers and increasing remittances, while the ILO champions fair recruitment and balanced reporting. The media has been urged to amplify both the opportunities and risks associated with migration.