Kenyans returning home after giving birth in foreign countries will now be subjected to mandatory DNA tests to confirm biological parentage, according to a new directive announced by Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua.
The move, which was revealed during a Senate plenary session on Wednesday, March 5, aims to curb rising cases of child trafficking.
Government’s Justification for DNA Testing
Speaking before the Senate, CS Mutua stated that the government had encountered cases of child trafficking disguised as repatriation, prompting the need for strict verification measures.
“We’ve got several Kenyans in some countries who have given birth. We are trying to get them back home with their children. Once they’re here, we’ll do a DNA test to match the child to the mother to avoid child trafficking,” Mutua explained.
Under the new policy, DNA tests will be conducted at points of entry before allowing children born abroad to enter the country legally with their parents.
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Support for Kenyans Working Abroad
The Labour Ministry also unveiled distress reporting tools to assist Kenyans working abroad. CS Mutua emphasized that Kenyans experiencing difficulties while overseas could now report their grievances via hotlines listed on the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour websites.
“If you have any distress, you call this number,” he said, referring to the newly established support system.
Controversy Over ‘Activism Training’ for Migrant Worker
Mutua further cautioned Kenyans travelling abroad against engaging in activism, claiming that it could land them in trouble in foreign countries.
“We are forming a system with attitude training to teach our young people, who have grown up in an activist system, to leave their activism at home. They should go abroad and follow the system,” he remarked.
However, this statement sparked outrage among some senators, who accused the CS of profiling Kenyan workers. Kitui Senator Enock Wambua was among those who strongly opposed Mutua’s remarks.
“When the CS was told to respond to the questions, he profiled Kenyans as big-headed activists who take demonstrations abroad. Is that the appreciation of the ministry of the calibre of Kenyans that we send for jobs abroad?” Wambua questioned.
Criticism Over Denial of Kenyan Deaths Abroad
CS Mutua also found himself on the defensive after Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi accused him of misleading the Senate by denying that any Kenyan workers had died while working abroad.
“Despite several media reports on the death of a Kenyan in Saudi Arabia, the government has yet to take any action,” Osotsi argued.
The issue of migrant worker safety has been a growing concern in Kenya, especially in Gulf countries, where cases of mistreatment, abuse, and even deaths have been widely reported. Critics argue that the government’s response has been insufficient, and more concrete measures are needed to protect Kenyan workers abroad.
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What’s Next?
The mandatory DNA testing policy is expected to spark further debate, with human rights groups and legal experts likely to weigh in on privacy concerns and the implications for returning Kenyan mothers.
Meanwhile, the Senate continues to pressure the Labour Ministry to improve migrant worker protections and provide accurate reports on the well-being of Kenyans abroad.
With these new regulations and controversies, the government’s handling of labour migration policies will remain under close scrutiny in the coming months.
