A statement in the Senate on Tuesday has renewed scrutiny of Kenya’s labour migration framework after Kakamega Senator Geoffrey Osotsi revealed that more than 30 youths from his county have died while working in Middle Eastern countries over the past two years.
The disclosure prompted lawyer Willis Otieno to issue a sharp critique of government oversight, arguing that the safety of Kenyan workers abroad requires urgent national attention.
Osotsi’s remarks highlighted a pattern familiar to many families across western and coastal Kenya, where labour migration has grown steadily due to limited local job opportunities.
The senator told the House that the deaths recorded in Kakamega illustrate the broader vulnerabilities faced by Kenyans employed in domestic, security, and service-sector jobs across the Gulf region. His call for stronger enforcement of recruitment and monitoring systems added to a long-running debate on worker protection.
In a separate public reaction, Otieno accused the government of failing to establish effective safeguards for migrant workers.
He said that despite the administration’s emphasis on job creation, the regulatory environment around foreign employment has not kept pace with the increasing outflow of young Kenyans seeking opportunities abroad.
According to Otieno, weak supervision of recruitment agencies and slow implementation of bilateral agreements have left many workers exposed to exploitation and unsafe conditions.
Kenya has, in the past, negotiated labour agreements with countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, aiming to formalise recruitment channels and improve welfare oversight.
While these agreements were intended to address reported cases of abuse and unexplained deaths, civil society groups have repeatedly noted challenges in enforcement. Complaints involving withheld documents, contract violations, and poor working conditions continue to emerge, particularly from domestic workers.
Otieno argued that the government should strengthen monitoring mechanisms and ensure accountability among recruitment firms operating in Kenya. He further stated that Parliament’s warnings about gaps in regulation should form the basis for immediate corrective action.
His comments echoed concerns raised in previous reviews by labour committees and advocacy organisations.
The matter is expected to generate further debate among labour rights groups, local leaders, and affected families as calls for comprehensive reforms gain momentum.