Over 200,000 Kenyan Youths Secure Jobs Abroad

Over 200,000 Kenyan Youths Secure Jobs Abroad

In the past year and a half, over 200,000 Kenyan youths have secured employment abroad, a testament to the government’s proactive efforts in establishing bilateral labor agreements with countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Austria, and Qatar. This initiative aims to address domestic unemployment by tapping into international job markets.

Financially, this labor migration has had a significant impact. Remittances from Kenyans working overseas amounted to approximately $4.9 billion (around Sh642 billion) in 2024, supporting families, funding education, and fostering economic development within the country.

The Kenyan shilling has remained stable, bolstered by these remittance inflows and earnings from tea exports. As of December 5, 2024, the shilling traded at 129.00/129.50 per dollar, unchanged from the previous day’s rate.

The government’s strategy includes organizing recruitment drives across the country. For instance, a recent exercise at Taita Taveta National Polytechnic focused on registering youths for overseas employment opportunities, particularly in sectors like delivery services, security, and construction. To facilitate this process, the Ministry of Labour has introduced financial support mechanisms, such as low-interest loans through the Youth Enterprise Fund, to cover expenses related to securing employment abroad.

While the initiative has been largely successful, challenges persist. Concerns about potential exploitation by fraudulent employment agencies have arisen. To mitigate this risk, the government advises job seekers to verify the legitimacy of recruitment firms through the National Employment Authority’s Integrated Management System (NEA-IMS).

Looking ahead, Kenya plans to expand this initiative. The government aims to send one million workers abroad this year, targeting job vacancies in countries like Germany and Denmark. This ambitious plan seeks to capitalize on global labor shortages, especially in nations with aging populations, thereby providing Kenyan youths with valuable employment opportunities and contributing to the national economy through increased remittances.

Over 200,000 Kenyan Youths Secure Jobs Abroad