Foreign Affairs PS Korir Singoei Says Government Can't Guarantee Jobs for Kenyans Who Study Abroad

Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs Korir Sing'oei admitted on Tuesday, June 27, that there are no guaranteed job opportunities for Kenyans who study abroad through government-sponsored programs. 

In a statement, Korir noted that the purpose of the programs is to provide the students with a better education that would enable them to generate their own income. He also pointed out that their education is important as it accords them better prospects upon their return to Kenya. However, PS Korir admitted that the Kenyan economy is not capable of producing enough jobs for all graduates. 

Korir was responding to concerns articulated by Nanjira Sambuli, a policy analyst and strategist, concerning the announcement of Kenyan students enrolling at Serbian Universities under the World in Serbia Program. In a statement dated July 25th, the PS reported that he had asked the program to increase the number of Kenyan beneficiaries from the current intake of ten to twenty. Sambuli questioned the purpose of the program, mentioning that many of the students who returned to the country had to start their own businesses because of a lack of jobs.

At the 40th Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology graduation ceremony, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua encouraged graduates to become entrepreneurs, recognizing that the government could not provide jobs to everyone. Meanwhile, President William Ruto has been promoting governmental initiatives to help Kenyans secure employment in other countries. 

On June 18, the Head of State announced that the government is pushing to ink agreements with international entities to provide one million jobs for Kenyan citizens. Countries like Germany, Barbados, the US, the UK, and Canada have enlisted as potential destinations for work.