Diaspora Affairs Committee Inspects One Stop Shop for Labour Migration
Members of the National Assembly’s Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee today conducted an inspection of the One Stop Shop for Labour Migration, located at the NSSF Building in Upperhill, Nairobi. The visit, led by Committee Chairperson Hon. Lydia Haika (Taita Taveta), aimed to familiarize members with the operations and challenges facing the facility, which is designed to streamline labour migration services.
The delegation, which included Vice-chair Hon. Simon Kingara (Ruiru) and other committee members, engaged with officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the National Employment Agency (NEA), and the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA). Principal Secretary Mr. Shadrack Mwadime provided an overview of the One Stop Shop’s purpose, which is to consolidate various services related to labour migration under one roof for easier access by Kenyan workers seeking employment abroad.
However, the committee was disappointed by the apparent inefficiency of the facility. A report from the Directorate of Labour Migration Management highlighted several issues, including inadequate funding, a shortage of technical and support staff, and the lack of an integrated information management system to link the relevant agencies.
During the inspection, it was revealed that although the One Stop Shop had reportedly served 23,000 individuals, there were no physical records to verify the figures. The committee members expressed frustration at the apparent lack of activity within the facility.
Hon. Captain Ruweida (Lamu East) voiced concerns about the absence of noticeable service delivery, pointing out that many of the offices appeared inactive despite the shop’s clearly defined role. “The facility seems underutilized, and it’s hard to understand why this vital service isn’t functioning as expected,” she said.
Hon. Simon Kingara suggested that the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection could benefit from a visit to a Huduma Center, which effectively combines multiple government services in a single location, ensuring a seamless experience for clients.
Chairperson Haika expressed her dissatisfaction with the visit, noting that the facility was not living up to its potential. “We expected to see a bustling hub of activity, but what we found was a quiet, underperforming office with very few clients and many empty workstations,” she said. She further stated that the Committee would engage the Ministry in a meeting to discuss how the One Stop Shop could be improved to better serve Kenyan migrant workers.
The inspection was attended by several other committee members, including Hon. Donya Doris (Kisii), Hon. Fred Kapondi (Mt. Elgon), Hon. Phelix Odiwour (Lang’ata), and Hon. Pamela Njoki (Embu).
The committee is expected to follow up with further discussions and recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of the One Stop Shop for Labour Migration, ensuring that it meets the needs of Kenyans seeking employment opportunities abroad.
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