Kenya has opened a 24-hour help desk for its citizens living and working abroad, in a move officials say is meant to offer faster support in times of distress.

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs announced the launch of a round-the-clock Diaspora Response Centre this week. The unit, run by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, is designed to handle emergencies, documentation problems and other consular concerns at any hour.

“As part of the ongoing efforts to put safety nets as well as champion the protection of welfare and rights of Kenyans in the Diaspora, we now have a 24-hour call centre,” the ministry said in a statement.

How it works

Kenyans abroad can contact the centre through a dedicated phone line at +254 207 876 000, via WhatsApp at +254 114 757 002, or by email at consular@diaspora.go.ke.

According to the ministry, the service will respond to distress cases, assist with documentation challenges and provide guidance on general inquiries. Officials say the aim is to ensure no Kenyan abroad is left without a direct line to government support.

The platform forms part of broader efforts to strengthen engagement with the diaspora, a community that sends home billions of shillings each year in remittances and plays a growing role in the country’s economy.

A response to rising concerns

The launch comes against the backdrop of mounting reports of mistreatment of Kenyan workers overseas, particularly in parts of the Middle East.

In recent years, advocacy groups and lawmakers have raised concerns about domestic workers facing abuse, withheld wages and confiscated passports. Others have reported being stranded after recruitment agencies allegedly issued short-term tourist visas instead of proper work permits.

Just weeks ago, a group of Kenyans in Oman sought refuge at the Kenyan High Commission after claiming they had been defrauded by recruiters. Government officials said repatriation plans were under way.

The ministry has previously introduced a toll-free emergency hotline for Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia, following similar complaints of labour disputes and distress.

Balancing promise and practice

Officials describe the new response centre as a step towards better protection of citizens overseas. They have also urged Kenyans to use official recruitment channels and verify job offers before travelling.

Whether the 24-hour service will ease long-standing concerns about migrant worker welfare remains to be seen. Much will depend on how quickly cases are handled and how effectively embassies respond on the ground.

For now, the message from Nairobi is clear: help is meant to be only a call, text or email away.