Over 200,000 Kenyan youths have secured employment abroad since the government intensified efforts to connect them with job opportunities in foreign markets over the past year and a half.
This is according to Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary (PS) Shadrack Mwadime, who spoke during a recruitment exercise at Taita Taveta National Polytechnic (TTNP) on Saturday.
Mwadime, who was overseeing the registration of youths seeking employment overseas, said the government’s strategic push to create job opportunities beyond Kenya’s borders has significantly reduced unemployment.
He attributed this success to the signing of bilateral labour agreements with several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Austria, and Qatar.
According to statistics from the Central Bank of Kenya, Kenyans working abroad have remitted approximately USD 4.9 billion (approximately Sh642 billion) back home, which have played a vital role in supporting families, funding education, and fostering economic development.
The PS noted that as the number of Kenyan workers abroad increased, these financial inflows were expected to grow, further strengthening the country’s economy.
“Currently, about four million Kenyans are working in different countries. As more bilateral agreements are signed, we expect the numbers to rise exponentially. Kenyan youth are known for their discipline, fluency in English, and strong work ethic, making them highly sought after in the global labor market,” said the PS.
He explained that many developed nations were experiencing a shortage of young workers due to aging populations, which has created vast employment opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, security, construction, and transport, among others.
The Ministry of Labour has taken an active role in ensuring that Kenyan youths tap into these opportunities through structured and legal channels.
During the TTNP recruitment exercise, agencies from the United Arab Emirates were present alongside Kenyan employment agencies to facilitate job placements.
The Saturday session focused on recruiting motorbike riders to work as delivery personnel, while additional recruitment drives were planned for security officers on Sunday and construction workers on Monday.
Mwadime commended boda boda operators who turned up for the exercise, urging them to obtain licenses to ease their recruitment process.
He also emphasized that any skilled youth could secure employment abroad by taking certification exams to validate their competencies.
The PS stated that the government has put in place measures to ease the process of securing employment abroad.
To address financial barriers, Mwadime disclosed that a structured loan scheme has been established through the Youth Enterprise Fund, a revolving fund that provides low-interest loans to cover agency fees, air tickets, and other essential costs, allowing beneficiaries to repay gradually once employed.
Additionally, the Ministry of Labour is engaging institutions such as the Hustler Fund and Uwezo Fund to introduce similar financial products to assist job seekers.
Mwadime also lauded Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in Voi for supporting youths by offering loans to facilitate their entry into the international labour market.
The PS urged political and religious leaders to support job seekers by helping them acquire necessary travel documents.
“Our political leaders have done well in offering bursaries to students, but they should also consider supporting youths who want to secure employment abroad. Church leaders can also play a role in assisting those who need financial help for passports and medical tests,” he said.
At the recruitment centres, a team from Huduma Centre was present to help applicants apply for essential documents such as passports, certificates of good conduct, and other credentials required for recruitment.
While celebrating the progress made in labour migration, Mwadime warned against fraudulent employment agencies that exploited desperate job seekers.
He urged youths to verify agencies through the National Employment Authority’s Integrated Management System (NEA-IMS) to avoid falling victim to scams.
He highlighted a common deception where fake agencies issue visitor visas instead of work permits, misleading applicants into thinking they could secure jobs upon arrival.
This has led to cases where individuals spent huge sums only to end up stranded in foreign countries without legal employment.
“The government is committed to ensuring our youths travel through recognized agencies and obtain valid work permits. We urge job seekers to avoid unregistered agents and instead use official government platforms to verify recruitment firms,” Mwadime advised.
PS Mwadime dismissed concerns that increased labour migration could result in a brain drain, arguing that it instead fosters a ‘brain gain.’
He noted that by working abroad, Kenyan youths gained valuable skills and experience, which they can later bring back home to establish businesses and create jobs.
“We are encouraging our youths to develop a saving culture so that when they return, they can invest in businesses and create employment for those who did not get the chance to go abroad,” he added.
He commended the turnout at TTNP which saw over 200 youths showing up for the recruitment exercise, expressing confidence that many of them would secure employment.
He urged young people to have faith in government initiatives aimed at tackling unemployment, stating, “This is just a way to assist you take off. The opportunities are there, and we will continue to make them accessible to as many youths as possible.”
With more bilateral labour agreements in the pipeline and a structured financial and legal support system in place, Kenya’s efforts to expand job opportunities beyond its borders appear to be gaining momentum and thousands more youths are set to benefit, securing brighter futures for themselves and their families while contributing to the national economy.
By Arnold Linga Masila
