Kenya Aims to Export 1 Million Workers Abroad

The Kenyan government has unveiled an ambitious plan to address the country's high unemployment rates by exporting one million workers abroad annually as part of a new job creation scheme.

This initiative, announced by Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Alfred Mutua, aims to provide better economic opportunities for Kenyan youth. Following a meeting with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Mutua has disclosed that the government is actively engaging with other countries to expand Kenya's employment export base. He states that the ongoing recruitment and sensitization program targets the placement of one million jobs annually through the labor export initiative.

As part of this plan, the government intends to establish ICT hubs in each of Kenya's 290 constituencies to provide young Kenyans with access to lucrative digital jobs, thereby transforming their economic prospects. Mutua emphasizes the government's commitment to addressing youth unemployment by making significant investments in technical and vocational education to equip young Kenyans with market-ready skills. The number of unemployed people in Kenya is expected to reach 1.76 million this year, with a majority being between the ages of 20 and 24.

To address this challenge, the Kenya Kwanza administration is negotiating for more job opportunities abroad under its labor export program. Mutua states that the government is expanding its network of bilateral labor agreements to ensure a structured and beneficial approach to labor migration, opening doors for Kenyans to take up semi-trained and professional roles internationally. Deputy President Kindiki reiterates the government's efforts to secure more bilateral labor agreements with other countries, aiming to create opportunities for Kenyans in various fields.

He acknowledges that while some of the trained and semi-trained youth are being deployed to accelerate Kenya's industrialization and manufacturing agenda, the administration is also focusing on negotiating for more job opportunities abroad under the export of labor program. This announcement comes at a time when many companies are announcing cutbacks and layoffs, with thousands of Kenyans at risk of losing their jobs as businesses struggle to stay afloat