Human rights advocates in the country have urged the government to up its game and rescue distressed Kenyans facing abuse, forced labour, and human trafficking across the globe.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 16, Kituo cha Sheria said the government should mainly focus on high-risk regions, such as Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, where most of these cases are reported.
"We call upon the Ministry of Labour, the Federation of Kenyan Employers, trade unions, and all the relevant stakeholders to treat this crisis not as an isolated incident but as a national labour justice emergency," the statement read.
Reflecting on the increased rates of human trafficking, Kituo stresses that the government should take immediate action and reinforce anti trafficking laws and policies, in addition to creating a special task force to investigate how human trafficking is conducted.
Additionally, the advocates pointed out that the government should also audit recruitment agencies and strip them of licenses for those found guilty of human trafficking.
Kituo further urged the government to prosecute individuals and entities who would be found responsible for the recruitment, transportation, and exploitation of Kenyans, including state and nonstate actors.
Furthermore, advocates further urged the state to fabricate solid reintegration programmes, including psychosocial care, medical assistance, and economic empowerment, for trafficking survivors upon returning to the country.
"That a parliamentary inquiry or special task force be established to investigate how trafficking syndicates continue to operate, identify systemic gaps, and recommend stronger legislative and enforcement safeguards," the statement read.
In the recent past, human trafficking has been at the centre of discussion, especially for Kenyans looking for jobs abroad.
On Saturday, April 5, the government announced the arrival of the last group of Kenyans who were stuck in a scam compound in Thailand and Myanmar.
According to reports, the Kenyans were deceived by fake agents who promised them jobs abroad, only for them to discover they were victims of human trafficking and sold into forced labour.
While acknowledging the return of the Kenyans as 'a necessary step', Kituo claimed that the government should act proactively and ensure that Kenyans are well aware of transnational human trafficking.
"This piecemeal and reactive approach reveals serious gaps in Kenya's foreign labour protections and its ability to dismantle trafficking networks and hold perpetrators accountable," it stated.
