In a major step toward addressing Kenya’s rising unemployment rate, the government has successfully secured 200,000 foreign job opportunities for its citizens since June 2024. This milestone was announced by Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating one million jobs annually.
Speaking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport during the flagging-off ceremony of 20 young Kenyans heading to Abu Dhabi for taxi driver positions, Mwadime highlighted the importance of expanding job opportunities for the nation’s youth.
“We know there are 5 million young people out there without jobs, and our objective is to access as many opportunities as possible,” said Mwadime.
The Principal Secretary emphasized that the export of labor is not only a solution to unemployment but also a means of fostering economic growth and technology transfer back to Kenya.
“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.
Mwadime further revealed the government’s proactive approach in targeting job opportunities in Western Europe, the Gulf region, and other emerging markets. He encouraged young Kenyans to take advantage of these opportunities as part of a strategic effort to reduce unemployment.
In support of the initiative, Ledson Agency Limited Director Jason Njuguna announced plans to create approximately 3,000 driving jobs annually, further contributing to the government’s ambitious employment agenda.
This development marks a significant boost for Kenya’s employment landscape and underscores the government’s dedication to empowering its citizens through global job placements and skills development.
