Thematic report on labour migration from the 2019 Kenya population and housing census Analytical Report on International Labour Migration
The "Thematic Report on Labour Migration from the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census," published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, serves as Kenya's first comprehensive monograph specifically dedicated to international labour migration. Guided by the 20th International Conference of Labour Statisticians, the report analyzes the scale and patterns of workforce movement to support evidence-based policymaking aligned with national aspirations like Vision 2030 and global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals. By providing disaggregated data on migrant characteristics and employment conditions, it seeks to improve migration governance and maximize the developmental benefits of labour mobility within the East and Horn of Africa region. Findings from the 2019 census indicate that Kenya hosted 419,135 immigrants, with 225,197 identified as international labour migrants, the majority of whom originate from East African Community states like Uganda and Tanzania. Regarding emigration, approximately 327,000 Kenyans left the country in the 15 years prior to the census, with 56 per cent moving for employment-related reasons, primarily to the Arabian Gulf, which also serves as a major source of remittances for 1.2 per cent of Kenyan households. While the foreign-born working-age population exhibits a labour force participation rate of 67.9 per cent, the report notes significant gender disparities and highlights the need for continued improvement in tracking migration-related indicators through stronger inter-agency coordination.
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Ministerial Communiqué for the 3rd IGAD Ministerial Conference on Labour, Employment and Labour Migration in Kenya
Posted at December 3rd 2025 12:00 AM | Updated as of December 3rd 2025 12:00 AM
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Policy brief: Registration, Licensing, and Inspection of Private Recruitment Agencies for Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia
This policy brief examines the registration, licensing, and inspection of private recruitment agencies in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia to improve regional migration management. The research, based on studies of Ugandan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, Kenyan migrants in Somalia's education sector, and Ethiopian hospitality workers in South Sudan, identifies key challenges. The brief's findings include that private recruitment agencies face significant constraints, such as extended processing times that exceed client deadlines and erode profit margins. Additionally, government revocation of licenses prevents agencies from performing crucial labour monitoring functions. In the absence of recruitment agencies, employers in Somalia and South Sudan often use professional, social, and family networks to facilitate migration, which can lead to a lack of effective mechanisms for monitoring labour conditions and addressing grievances. To address these issues, the brief recommends that Employers' Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs) advocate for legislative amendments to clarify roles and responsibilities, establish effective grievance mechanisms, and enhance inter-ministerial coordination to streamline licensing processes. It also suggests that EBMOs engage with private recruitment agencies and facilitate dialogue among them.
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Empowering Youth for Safe Labour Migration: ILO Public Lecture at Kenyan Universities
Posted at October 8th 2025 12:00 AM | Updated as of October 8th 2025 12:00 AM
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Media Breakfast in Kenya Highlights the Role of Journalism in Promoting Fair Labour Migration
Posted at October 7th 2025 12:00 AM | Updated as of October 7th 2025 12:00 AM
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Fair Recruitment in a Digital Age: Migration, Labour Rights & the Role of Public Employment Services
|30th October 2025 Time : 12:00pm - 1:30pm
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Strengthening Labour Market Information System in Uganda and Kenya
Posted at June 20th 2025 12:00 AM | Updated as of June 20th 2025 12:00 AM
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Validation of the gap analysis for Private Employment Agencies Convention in Kenya
|31st October 2024 Time : 11:15am - 11:35am
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Sensitization Workshop on Fair Recruitment and Launch of Migrant Resource Centre in Eldoret
|22nd July 2025 Time : 8:15am - 6:35pm
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Training for KAPEA Members on Fair Recruitment
|4th August 2025 Time : 8:15am - 6:30pm
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