243,000 Kenyan workers shipped abroad as Ruto targets 2 million

Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations on Thursday, President Ruto emphasised the need to create opportunities for thousands of youth who enter the labour market annually.

He noted that the government has sealed bilateral labour frameworks with seven countries while awaiting signatures from two countries.

He added that in the past two months, 12,000 Kenyans have secured jobs abroad across the healthcare, agriculture and construction sectors. 

According to Ruto, agreements with 13 countries are at various stages of negotiations and once completed, the government aims to export up to 2 million Kenyans abroad. 

"Our committed interventions are creating jobs and opportunities, and this is only the beginning. We are building on the foundation we have laid to create more jobs going forward," he said.

"The essence of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda is to enhance our capacity for incremental achievement and thus accelerate our progress in delivering our commitments for the benefit of all Kenyans."

He referenced the first cohort of Kenyan workers who flew to Qatar on Wednesday, December 11, to secure technical jobs. 

Since taking office, Ruto has prioritised the labour mobility program that seeks to connect youths with jobs. This was divided into three strategies; jobs abroad, jobs on the ground and online jobs. 

Critics have, however, castigated the president for his 'obsession' with exporting Kenyan talent abroad at the expense of the local sector.

Others also questioned the hidden expenses associated with the travel that are not explicitly laid out during the application process. 

In response to the allegations, CS Mutua reiterated that no Kenyan is forced to apply for the opportunities. 

"Nobody is forcing you to go or pay, you make the choice. Some companies will provide everything and there are others that you will have to sort the air ticket yourselves," Mutua noted.