Salasya expresses reservations about Kenyans seeking househelp jobs in Gulf
Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya has expressed his disapproval of Kenyans seeking househelp jobs in Gulf countries.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Salasya expressed reservations about Kenyans working in the Gulf countries, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Kenya ni home, story za umboch Gulf zii,” he tweeted on X, formerly Twitter.
Loosely interpreted as:
“Kenya is home; the idea of working as a househelp in the Gulf is a no.”
Salasya has been vocal on the plight of Kenyan workers in the Gulf, describing the labour export initiative as a national failure that has led to shattered dreams and untold suffering.
On February 3, 2025, Salasya criticised the government’s reliance on labour export as a solution to unemployment, arguing that it has done more harm than good.
“We cannot continue exporting our youth and mothers like commodities! Labour export has failed to uplift lives; it has only fuelled broken homes, shattered dreams, and untold suffering,” he stated.
“Look at the statistics: how many Kenyans working in the Gulf have come back and built something? How many have started businesses or changed their lives? Almost none,” he said.
“They leave with hope, return with nothing but pain. This is not a success story. It’s a national shame!”
“Our young men and women go to the Gulf, endure harsh conditions, and sacrifice everything for their families. But after three years, what do they come back to? Many return to find broken homes, abandoned by spouses, and forced to leave again. The cycle of misery continues!”
Further, Salasya described the government’s initiative to send Kenyans abroad as a way of addressing unemployment as a sign of leadership failure.
“A government that exports its workforce instead of creating jobs is a failed government! Why should Kenyans be second-class citizens in foreign lands when they can thrive in their own country?”
“Instead of sending our people to toil in foreign lands, we should invest in industries, manufacturing, and digital transformation. Kenya has the brains, the talent, and the potential; we need the right leadership to harness it,” he added.
Labour CS
This comes a month after Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale called for the resignation of Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua to allow for independent investigations into complaints linked to the foreign job placement initiative known as the Kazi Majuu program.
Speaking on May 14, 2025, at the Senate, Khalwale urged Mutua to step aside in light of growing concerns from job seekers who allege they were defrauded after applying for employment opportunities abroad.
“On behalf of the youth who were conned with fake jobs abroad, I demand that Labour CS Mutua step down to pave the way for credible investigations,” Khalwale said.
His remarks followed numerous complaints from individuals who claim to have undergone interviews and medical checks and paid amounts reportedly ranging from Ksh20,000 to Ksh40,000 but never received job placements or refunds.
Mutua however dismissed the claims, insisting that the initiative was well on course.
