Wamuzi News Ke
In a fiery outburst that’s sending ripples across Kenya’s labour sector, Francis Atwoli, the long-standing Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), has once again demanded the immediate dissolution of the National Employment Authority (NEA), branding it a “conduit for modern-day slavery.”
Atwoli’s explosive remarks, posted Monday morning on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, laid bare what he calls a national crisis—Kenya’s unchecked export of labour, particularly to Gulf nations, without any solid structures to safeguard the rights and dignity of workers.
“This is slavery in a new form,” Atwoli declared. “We are sending our children into the hands of strangers who treat them like property.”NEA Under FireThe veteran unionist didn’t mince his words, accusing the NEA of partnering with shady agents who funnel desperate Kenyans into foreign households under appalling conditions.
“These so-called agents are not recruiters. They are human traffickers. Period,” Atwoli said.He insisted that the NEA must be disbanded immediately and its functions absorbed into the Ministry of Labour to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable youth.
The grim reality, according to Atwoli, is that many Kenyans sent abroad, especially to the Gulf region, end up trapped in nightmarish conditions—some beaten, others overworked, and all too often unheard.“You’ve Seen the Horror Stories”
“We’ve all seen the heart-wrenching reports on TV,” he continued. “Young Kenyan girls locked up, starved, even killed. And still, our government allows this to go on?”
In an urgent plea, Atwoli called for a total ban on the export of unskilled labour and domestic workers to Gulf countries, saying Kenya must focus on building its economy from within.
“We were once the economic powerhouse of East Africa. Ethiopia has now overtaken us. Why? Because we’ve forgotten how to invest in ourselves.”Time to RebuildCalling for a radical shift in priorities, Atwoli urged the government to shift focus from foreign labour exportation to local job creation, investment attraction, and economic revitalization.
“We must return to the drawing board. We must create jobs here in Kenya—not export our own people as slaves.”His remarks come hot on the heels of Labour CS Alfred Mutua’s announcement that 153 rogue recruiting firms have been flagged and handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
While Mutua claimed the crackdown has curbed many fraudulent activities, Atwoli insists much more remains to be done.The powerful union leader’s comments have reignited a long-standing national debate on the ethics, safety, and future of Kenya’s labour exportation policies.
As pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the government: will they act—or let another tragedy unfold?This is not just a policy issue anymore. It’s a moral emergency.
