Ruto releases Sh163m to support youth taking up foreign jobs, assures of safety

President William Ruto has assured Kenyans taking up job opportunities abroad under the government’s Kazi Majuu programme of their safety and protection from exploitation.

Speaking on Monday during the International Youth Day celebrations at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega County, the President said the government had taken deliberate steps to seal loopholes that previously left Kenyans vulnerable to poor pay, mistreatment, and even sexual abuse in foreign countries.

Ruto assured that his administration had established clear policies to safeguard the welfare of Kenyans working overseas and ensure that the job opportunities contribute positively to the country’s economic growth.

“We have put in place systems to guarantee that no Kenyan going abroad to work will suffer exploitation. Those days are over,” said Ruto.

The President announced that he has appointed dedicated officials at the relevant ministries to manage diaspora affairs, with a mandate to monitor working conditions, respond promptly to complaints, and resolve disputes involving Kenyans in foreign employment.

“We now have a Principal Secretary whose sole job is to look after the welfare of Kenyans abroad. We can track where you are working, respond to issues quickly, and end the suffering that some of our people experienced in the past,” he said.

He regretted that in the past, many Kenyans seeking employment overseas had been lured by unregulated agencies, often ending up in exploitative conditions.

The Head of State said that such cases would no longer occur under the Kazi Majuu programme, which is directly managed and vetted by the government.

Ruto noted that more than 430,000 Kenyans have so far benefited from the programme, which connects qualified citizens to decent job opportunities abroad.

He praised Kenya’s highly educated and skilled workforce, as well as the country’s strong English proficiency, as key factors that have boosted the global competitiveness of Kenyan professionals.

“Kenyans are among the best-educated and most skilled workers in the world. Our English proficiency and work ethic have made us highly sought after,” the President said.

Ruto also highlighted the economic impact of labour migration, noting that diaspora remittances had grown to become Kenya’s single largest source of foreign exchange, surpassing earnings from tea, horticulture, and tourism.

The Head of State also released Sh163 million to support 863 youths who have successfully secured jobs through the labour mobility program to travel overseas.

"Today I will be handing over cheques worth Sh163 million to 863 young people under the labour mobility programme who have secured jobs abroad to travel to various countries where they have secured jobs," said Ruto.

According to the Central Bank of Kenya, remittances from Kenyans abroad have continued to rise steadily, providing a crucial source of income for families and contributing significantly to the country’s foreign reserves.

The President said the Kazi Majuu programme was part of his administration’s broader youth empowerment agenda, aimed at creating employment and addressing job scarcity at home.

He assured the youth that the government was committed to not only creating jobs locally through investment in industries, agriculture, and the digital economy, but also connecting them to opportunities globally.

“We want our young people to be able to work anywhere in the world, in conditions that are safe, fair, and rewarding,” he said.

The International Youth Day celebrations, themed “Empowering Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” brought together over 3,000 participants, including youth leaders, innovators, policymakers, and development partners.

Ruto emphasised that the Kazi Majuu initiative was designed to be transparent, accountable, and protective of workers’ rights.

He warned rogue recruitment agencies that the government would not tolerate exploitation of Kenyan workers, promising strict enforcement of labour agreements with host countries.

 “We have learned from the mistakes of the past. Kenyans will no longer work in unsafe environments or be subjected to unfair treatment. Every opportunity under Kazi Majuu is vetted and backed by the government,” he said.

The President’s remarks come at a time when labour migration has been under increased scrutiny, with human rights groups calling for stronger protections for migrant workers.

Ruto said his administration would continue to strengthen bilateral agreements with destination countries to ensure that Kenyan workers enjoy the same protections and benefits as their local counterparts.

“This programme is about dignity, fairness, and opportunity. We will stand with every Kenyan wherever they are in the world,” he said.

Governor Fernandes Barasa praised the President's move to motivate and nurture the talents of the youth, especially Harambee Stars, in the ongoing CHAN 2024 tournament.

"Our youths have talent, but what has been missing from the previous regimes is motivation, and we want to urge them to continue supporting our young players of Harambee Stars," said Barasa.

The governor also commended the collaboration between the national and county governments, stating that many development projects are taking place under Ruto's administration.

"We have seen the collaboration between the two levels of government bearing fruits, the construction and completion of Bukhungu stadium is on course and we have already installed a turf on the pitch for the upcoming East African games, additionally our Kenya Defense Forces have already taken over the construction of Kakamega Level Six Refferal Hospital which is going to create 1,000 direct jobs to our youths," said Barasa.