Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary (PS) Shadrack Mwadime has dismissed concerns that Kenya was losing its workforce to foreign countries.
Speaking at Taita Taveta National Polytechnic (TTNP) during a recruitment exercise of bikers on Saturday, instead, he emphasized that labour migration allows Kenyan youth to acquire valuable skills, financial stability, and international exposure, which they can later reinvest back home.
Mwadime emphasized that the government’s strategy is not about losing skilled workers but rather building a global Kenyan workforce that will eventually benefit the country.
He said that workers gain international exposure, advanced skills, and professional experience that they can later bring back to Kenya. He noted that higher salaries abroad allow the youths to improve their families’ livelihoods, educate their siblings, and start businesses back home, creating more employment locally.
Further, the PS stated that those who work abroad build valuable international connections, opening doors for future trade and business opportunities between Kenya and other countries.
“Many people assume that when our youths leave to work abroad, we lose a skilled workforce. That is not true. These young men and women gain new experiences, expand their networks, and ultimately contribute back to our economy in different ways. We are creating a global workforce that will empower Kenya in the long run,” Mwadime stated.
The PS highlighted that over the past one and a half years, the government has facilitated over 200,000 Kenyan youths in securing jobs abroad, an initiative he said is transforming lives and boosting the country’s economy.
One of the key benefits of labour migration is the massive financial boost that diaspora remittances bring to Kenya’s economy. According to the Central Bank of Kenya, Kenyans working abroad sent home approximately 4.9 billion dollars (Which is approximately Sh. 642 billion) last year, supporting families, education, and investments. With more bilateral labor agreements being signed, the remittances are expected to increase significantly.
Mwadime encouraged young people working abroad to develop a saving culture and invest in businesses upon their return, thereby creating local employment opportunities.
According to him, the global demand for workers has been rising due to a demographic imbalance in many developed countries. Mwadime explained that several nations have aging populations with fewer youths to sustain their economies, unlike Kenya, where the majority of the population is young and in need of jobs.
“Kenyan youth are disciplined, fluent in English, and hardworking. These qualities have built Kenya’s reputation as a reliable source of labor. That is why countries such as Germany, Austria, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed bilateral agreements with us to recruit Kenyan workers,” said Mwadime.
The Saturday recruitment exercise at TTNP focused on motorbike riders (bikers) who will be employed to transport goods in various areas in the countries that they will secure jobs from. On Sunday, security officers are set to be recruited, followed by construction workers on Monday.
The PS encouraged skilled youth, including those with experience in construction, to acquire certification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program to improve their employability abroad.
To facilitate labour migration, the government has put in place a structured plan to support job seekers. Mwadime outlined several initiatives aimed at making the transition smoother for Kenyan youth including the financial assistance through government loans.
Recognizing the financial constraints many youths face in securing travel documents and agency fees; the government has partnered with the Youth Enterprise Fund to offer low-interest loans. The funds cover expenses such as passport fees, air tickets, and medical tests, ensuring that no deserving youth misses out on opportunities due to lack of money.
Additionally, the PS disclosed that discussions are underway with Hustler Fund and Uwezo Fund to introduce similar loan products specifically tailored for youths seeking employment abroad.
Following the challenges youths were getting in acquiring essential documents Huduma Centers are now present at recruitment sites, offering services such as issuance of passports, processing of certificates of good conduct and verification of necessary credentials. This move has eliminated the long bureaucratic hurdles that previously hindered many from securing the documents thereby denying them an opportunity to get employment abroad.
Mwadime urged church leaders and political leaders to step in and assist job seekers in processing essential documents. He proposed that Constituency Development Funds (CDF), traditionally used for bursaries, should also be allocated to help young people who face financial constraints to obtain passports and other required documents to enable them secure job opportunities abroad.
“We have done well in supporting students through bursaries. Now, we should also focus on helping job seekers, ensuring they access these life-changing opportunities,” he said.
Despite the opportunities, Mwadime warned job seekers about fraudulent recruitment agencies that exploit desperate youths. He urged applicants to use the National Employment Authority Integrated Management System (NEA-IMS) to verify licensed agencies before applying for job opportunities.
“There have been cases where fake agencies issue visitor visas instead of work permits, deceiving youths into thinking they will secure jobs upon arrival. This has led to many being stranded in foreign countries,” he cautioned.
To prevent such exploitation, the government is working closely with recognized agencies to ensure that all recruited workers have valid employment contracts, work permits, and legal protection under bilateral agreements.
The turnout at TTNP was high with over 200 youth participating in the recruitment drive. While urging youths to take initiatives like this seriously, Mwadime assured that the government is committed to ensuring they secure safe and well-paying jobs abroad.
“This is just a way to assist you take off. The opportunities are there, and we will continue working to make them accessible to as many youths as possible,” he said.
