Nairobi – The Diaspora Placement Agency has confirmed that 400,000 citizens have secured employment overseas through state-facilitated programs as of June 2025. The figure was disclosed during an oversight visit by the National Assembly Committee on Defense, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations to the State Department for Diaspora Affairs in Nairobi.
The committee, led by Chairperson Nelson Koech, met with Principal Secretary Roslyne Njogu to review the department’s progress on labor mobility, bilateral labor deals, and diaspora engagement. “We recognize the work you do,” Koech said. “But what is the correlation between the Diaspora Placement Agency and the Ministry of Labor?”
The Diaspora Placement Agency was established under Executive Order No. 1 of 2025 to connect Kenyans to jobs abroad. According to the PS, the agency has facilitated 400,000 Kenyans to secure jobs abroad as of June 2025. PS Njogu explained that while some responsibilities overlap with the Labor Ministry, the agency has a distinct mandate to manage foreign job placements and support Kenyan workers overseas.
MP Abdulkadir Mohammed challenged the depth of available data, urging the department to share a county-by-county breakdown of those placed abroad. “You say you’ve facilitated 400,000 Kenyans. Where are the details per county?” he asked.
Concerns were also raised over fraudulent recruitment and misinformation targeting job seekers. Martha Wangari pressed for clear policies to regulate agencies and protect citizens. “What are the legislative gaps in dealing with rogue agencies?” she asked. “We need to deal firmly with those spreading misinformation.”
PS Njogu said the department is working with National Government Administrative Officers to raise awareness and protect vulnerable job seekers. “The 400,000 is just a drop in the bucket. We have around 10 million unemployed Kenyans. But we’re committed to shifting the narrative of Kazi Majuu and educating people on their rights,” she said.
PS Njogu revealed that 5,232 Kenyans have been evacuated from 19 countries in distress situations. She also said plans are underway to set up diaspora service centers, starting with one in Australia, where land has been secured. To support diaspora investors, the department is preparing to launch a Diaspora Infrastructure Bond. PS Njogu said webinars have been held to inform Kenyans abroad about investment opportunities in Treasury bonds and the Nairobi Stock Exchange.
The department is also working to reduce remittance costs to below 3%, in line with international benchmarks. To help address concerns over trust and fraud in diaspora transactions, two new agencies have been established: the Diaspora Investments Support Office and the Diaspora Placement Agency.
Vice Chair Bashir Abdullahi called for a broader focus beyond job placements. “You should boost investor confidence and bring remittances home to create jobs locally,” he said.
In 2024, Kenyans abroad sent home $4.95 billion in remittances a record high and a key driver of the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
The committee pledged to push for better funding and policy support to strengthen the State Department’s capacity. PS Njogu, in turn, committed to submitting detailed data and enhancing transparency around diaspora labor programs.
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