Senators have pressed the government to strengthen safeguards for thousands of young Kenyans seeking jobs abroad, raising concerns over delayed loan disbursements, fraudulent recruitment agencies, emergency repatriation mechanisms and the protection of workers in foreign countries.

The concerns emerged during a meeting of the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare chaired by Sen. Julius Murgor (West Pokot) with Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya and officials from the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF), who appeared to defend the government's labour mobility programme and its growing role in tackling youth unemployment.

The committee heard that YEDF has disbursed KSh424 million to 2,944 beneficiaries since the programme was rolled out, supporting young Kenyans taking up employment opportunities in destinations including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.

However, senators sought assurances that the programme was adequately protecting beneficiaries from exploitation and financial losses.

Sen. Beth Syengo questioned the time it takes for successful applicants to receive funding, warning that delays could cause young people to lose confirmed job opportunities.

"What is the typical period between application and disbursement, and what mechanisms are in place to ensure applicants do not miss opportunities because of delays?" she asked.

In response, YEDF officials said the fund's service charter targets loan disbursement within 14 days, although delays sometimes occur due to incomplete documentation and liquidity challenges associated with the revolving fund model.

Sen. Syengo also sought clarification on how funds are recovered when candidates fail to travel after receiving support.

Officials explained that recruitment agents are required to endorse applications and are contractually obligated to refund funds where travel does not materialise. They added that YEDF conducts follow-ups through calls, emails and site visits and can initiate recovery through banking channels and securities provided by agents.

Sen. (Rtd) Justice Stewart Madzayo turned the committee's attention to enforcement, demanding evidence that fraudulent recruiters were being prosecuted.

"Can you provide examples of cases where fraudulent recruiters have been prosecuted and indicate the outcomes?" he asked.

Mvurya acknowledged that prosecutions had taken place and said the government had deregistered more than 1,000 fraudulent recruitment agencies as part of a wider clean-up exercise. However, he noted that prosecution records are held by enforcement agencies and undertook to provide the committee with detailed information.

Madzayo also raised concerns about reports of Kenyans being recruited into foreign armed conflicts.

The CS said the government was aware of reports involving recruitment into conflict zones and had responded through diplomatic engagement, public awareness campaigns and closer collaboration with foreign missions. Detailed records, he said, would need to be obtained from agencies directly responsible for immigration, security and foreign affairs.

Sen. Murgor and Sen. Joe Nyutu (Murang'a) questioned whether the government had established an emergency repatriation mechanism for Kenyans facing distress abroad.

Mvurya told the committee that YEDF does not maintain a dedicated repatriation fund, explaining that emergency evacuation and welfare interventions are handled through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenyan missions abroad and other government agencies.

Committee members also sought assurances that embassy and consular services had improved for workers overseas. Mvurya acknowledged past shortcomings but said the government had strengthened worker registration systems, engagement with labour attaches and consular support in key destination countries.

Sen. Nyutu raised concerns about what appeared to be higher uptake of the programme in coastal counties, challenging the ministry to undertake a county-by-county analysis of applications and identify factors contributing to the disparities.

The ministry committed to provide further information on disbursement timelines, recovery of funds from recruitment agents, prosecution of fraudulent recruiters and county-level uptake of the programme. It also pledged to work with Parliament on legislative reforms aimed at strengthening oversight, accountability and protection of Kenyans seeking employment opportunities abroad.

The committee indicated that future oversight would focus on ensuring that the programme expands safely and that adequate safeguards are in place to protect young Kenyans from exploitation while pursuing opportunities in foreign labour markets.