The United States government has expressed grave concerns over the trafficking and exploitation of Chinese nationals working in Kenya.
The US State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report has highlighted instances of forced labour among Chinese workers, particularly those engaged in large infrastructure projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The report sheds light on the dire working conditions faced by Chinese nationals, notably those involved in the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Nairobi Expressway.
It underscores the vulnerability of these workers to forced labour, raising alarm over the human rights violations occurring within these projects.
“People’s Republic of China nationals employed in Kenya at worksites affiliated with the PRC’s Belt and Road Initiative were vulnerable to forced labour, particularly in construction,” the report stated.
The US government has called on the Kenyan government to implement a rigorous screening process for Chinese workers to identify and assist those who have been trafficked.
This measure aims to protect the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Moreover, the recommendation for screening extends beyond Chinese nationals.
The report advocates for the systematic and proactive identification of trafficking victims among vulnerable populations, including refugees, asylum-seekers, individuals in commercial sex, Kenyan migrant workers returning from overseas, and all foreign national workers.
“Systematically and proactively identify trafficking victims by screening vulnerable populations such as refugees, asylum-seekers, individuals in commercial sex, Kenyan migrant workers returning from overseas, and all foreign national workers,” the report emphasized.
Despite recent efforts by the Kenyan government to combat human trafficking, the country remains plagued by this issue.
The report highlights child trafficking and sex trafficking as prevalent problems that require urgent attention.
In 2023, the Kenyan government reported prosecuting 19 trafficking cases, including three sex trafficking cases, five labour trafficking cases, and 11 cases of unspecified forms of trafficking.
Convictions were achieved in at least three forced labour cases, with two traffickers receiving five-year prison sentences and hefty fines.
However, one of the convicted traffickers was acquitted.
“The government reported convicting at least three traffickers in 2023 for forced labour; two traffickers were sentenced to five years in jail, of which one was also fined Ksh30 million (USD 243,210).
The third trafficker was acquitted,” the report noted.Additionally, the trafficking and mistreatment of Kenyan nationals abroad, particularly in the Middle East, remains a pressing concern.
Reports of harassment and abuse of Kenyans working in countries like Saudi Arabia continue to surface, highlighting the need for stronger protective measures for migrant workers.
As the Kenyan government grapples with these complex issues, the US State Department’s report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in the fight against human trafficking.
It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and effective strategies to protect vulnerable populations and ensure justice for the victims.
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