Maraga Vows to End Labour Export Hours After Govt Announces Ksh200k Qatar Jobs
Nairobi, Kenya – Former Chief Justice David Maraga has sharply criticised President William Ruto’s labour export programme, vowing to abolish it if elected to the presidency. His remarks came just hours after the government announced lucrative opportunities for Kenyans in Qatar, with some jobs reportedly paying up to Ksh200,000 per month.
In a statement released on Thursday, November 20, Maraga described the programme as a form of modern-day slavery, arguing that exporting Kenyan workers undermines the country’s potential to create jobs locally. He accused the government of prioritising foreign labour markets over domestic economic reforms.
“Our beloved Africa still lives with the unspoken wounds of losing her children to enslavement centuries ago. Shipped across the oceans, the depletion of Africa’s best talent is a tale that seems to be repeating itself in 21st-century Kenya, only this time, through the seemingly innocuous guise of helping young people earn a living abroad,” Maraga said.
“My government will jealously protect our people as our most treasured resource. It is against the very nature of elected governance to trade off our people as labour to foreign lands instead of expanding opportunities at home and ending the corruption that is bleeding our economy,” he added.
Concerns Over Worker Welfare
Maraga’s criticism follows a recent New York Times investigation that highlighted the plight of Kenyan workers in Gulf nations, particularly Saudi Arabia. The report alleged widespread abuse and mistreatment of domestic workers, many of whom were left stranded without adequate support from Kenyan authorities.
The article further claimed that recruitment agencies affiliated with government officials profited from the labour export system, earning approximately $1,000 (Ksh129,950) for every worker sent abroad. These revelations have intensified scrutiny of the government’s labour migration policies.
Government’s Defence
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua dismissed the allegations of abuse, insisting that Kenyan workers abroad are benefiting from well-paying opportunities. He cited Qatar as a prime example, where 100 diploma-level nurses are set to work in home care positions with salaries reaching up to Ksh200,000.
“These are safe, legal jobs that provide Kenyans with good income and valuable international experience. We are committed to ensuring that our citizens abroad are protected and supported,” Mutua said on Wednesday.
Mutua revealed that the government expects between 100,000 and 250,000 Kenyans to secure jobs abroad next year. He emphasised that the programme is designed to provide legal pathways for employment, reducing the risks associated with unregulated migration.
Ruto’s Labour Diplomacy
President Ruto has defended the initiative as part of his broader economic strategy. In October, he announced that Kenya had secured 13,000 new jobs in Qatar following talks with Labour Minister Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri. The agreement included the establishment of a Qatari visa centre in Nairobi to streamline recruitment and processing.
“This programme will enable Kenyan workers to acquire global experience and training that they will ultimately bring back home to support Kenya’s development,” Ruto said at the time.
Conclusion
Maraga’s vow to end the labour export programme sets the stage for a heated debate over Kenya’s economic priorities. While the government insists that overseas jobs provide vital income and skills, critics argue that exporting labour reflects deeper failures in domestic job creation and governance.
As the controversy unfolds, the contrasting visions of protecting workers at home versus expanding opportunities abroad highlight one of the most pressing policy dilemmas facing Kenya’s leadership.
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Maraga Vows to End Labour Export Hours After Govt Announces Ksh200k Qatar Jobs
