The Kenyan government has successfully secured 200,000 overseas job opportunities for its citizens since June 2024, marking a significant step towards addressing the country’s unemployment crisis. Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime confirmed the development while emphasizing the government’s broader strategy to create one million jobs annually.
Speaking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport during the send-off of 20 young Kenyans heading to Abu Dhabi for taxi driving jobs, Mwadime reiterated the administration’s commitment to expanding employment opportunities for the youth.
“We are told that there are 5 million young people who are out there without jobs, and our objective is to access as many opportunities as possible,” he stated.
The initiative is a response to the growing unemployment rate, which currently affects over 5 million Kenyans, and is aimed at diversifying job sources by tapping into international labor markets. The government has been actively engaging with Western Europe, the Gulf region, and other emerging markets to secure work placements for skilled and semi-skilled Kenyans.
Mwadime dismissed concerns about potential brain drain, arguing that exporting labor is beneficial to the country in multiple ways.
“What we are doing will not lead to brain drain; rather, we are gaining in terms of the savings they make and the technological know-how they acquire,” he explained.
The economic impact of remittances from Kenyans working abroad has been substantial, contributing significantly to the national economy. This initiative is expected to further bolster foreign exchange earnings while equipping workers with valuable international experience.
Private sector players are also contributing to the effort. Jason Njuguna, Director of Ledson Agency Limited, revealed that his agency is working towards creating 3,000 driving jobs annually.
“For this year, we are targeting around 3,000, but so far we have managed to secure around 150. We are continuing to conduct interviews to fill the remaining slots,” Njuguna reported.
The government’s ongoing commitment to securing employment opportunities abroad reflects a strategic approach to tackling youth unemployment. By encouraging young Kenyans to take advantage of these openings, authorities hope to not only reduce joblessness but also empower the workforce with skills and experiences that can contribute to the country’s long-term economic growth.
