Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Unemployment Convention, 1919 (No. 2) - Kenya (Ratification: 1964)

Article 1 of the Convention. Measures to combat unemployment. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the legislative framework to combat unemployment and promote the creation of employment opportunities. It notes the employment initiatives reported, including: (i) the Uwezo Fund supporting young entrepreneurs; (ii) the Youth Enterprise Development Fund providing technical and vocational education and training for young persons; and (iii) temporary employment programmes such as Kazi Mtaani. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that labour migration remains an important source of employment for young persons and that four bilateral labour agreements have been signed, with more than ten others under negotiation. It also notes the establishment of the Directorate for Labour Migration Management within the Ministry of Labour and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, as well as the creation of the National Employment Authority (NEA) in 2016, responsible for employment matching, placement services and the management of labour-market information systems. The Committee notes with interest that the National Labour Board, at its 27th session held in August 2023, approved the ratification of the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181).

The Committee recalls that, under Article 1, measures to combat unemployment should be part of a coordinated national policy designed to ensure that employment opportunities are created and maintained in conditions that safeguard the fundamental rights and living standards of workers. In this regard, and referring to ILO guidance on integrated employment service systems, the Committee emphasizes that public employment services such as the NEA play a central role in implementing employment policy, provided they are adequately resourced, supported by reliable labour-market information and effectively coordinated with private employment agencies, vocational training institutions and local authorities.

The Committee notes, however, that the Government has not replied to its previous comments concerning the implementation and results of the Second Medium-Term Plan (2013–17) of Kenya Vision 2030, including measures implemented with ILO assistance. It therefore reiterates its request that the Government provide information on the impact and outcomes of these measures, including quantitative and qualitative evaluations.

The Committee further requests the Government to continue providing detailed and updated information on measures taken to combat unemployment, particularly those targeting young persons, women and persons in vulnerable situations.Please include statistical data disaggregated by sex, age, region and status of employment, and indicate the mechanisms used to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of such measures in promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment.

Article 2(2). Consultation between employment services. The Committee notes that the information provided does not reply to its previous comments. The Committee, therefore, reiterates its request tothe Government to provide information on the manner in which the coordination of the operations of public and private employment agencies is ensured. The Committee recalls that effective coordination between public and private employment services is an essential element in building a comprehensive and inclusive labour market intermediation system. According to ILO guidance, such coordination should ensure that both public and private actors operate within a coherent policy framework promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment, and that their respective roles are clearly defined and complementary. In this context, public employment services (PES) retain responsibility for guaranteeing universal access to employment services, particularly for groups at risk of labour market exclusion, while private employment agencies may contribute to improved efficiency, specialization and responsiveness to employers’ needs, under adequate regulation and supervision to safeguard workers’ rights. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether formal mechanisms exist – such as memoranda of understanding, shared labour market information systems, joint referral procedures or common quality standards – to promote collaboration and data exchange between the PES and licensed private agencies, as well as to prevent unfair competition or duplication of services.