The government has denied claims that its foreign labour mobility programme for Kenyan youths has stalled, terming it successful.
Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary Mr Shadrack Mwadime has said the government has in the last several months dispatched hundreds of young Kenyans to work abroad.
“You can see we are flagging young people on a daily basis going abroad not only to the Gulf countries but also to the Western European countries. Last week we had a number of young people going to Germany so as to ensure our young people win employment in these international markets,” said the PS.
He clarified that the government has contacted a pre-departure training to apprise the group of the necessary foreign procedures.
“This is deliberate because we have a brand to protect, and our young people are energetic, disciplined and hard-working. They are able to perform their duties as expected,” the PSemphasised.
The PS was speaking today at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport when he flagged off 30 young Kenyans heading to the United Arab Emirates.
The PS added that the idea to search for jobs abroad is one of the government’s commitments to lowering the unemployment rate in the country, which currently stands at over five million.
“It was the President’s clarion call that as the Ministry of Labour, we must access the international labour market and look for as many jobs as possible for our young people,” stated the principal secretary.
He also announced that his ministry has further embarked on a sensitisation programme aimed at informing Kenyans about recruitment agencies approved by the government.
He added that the government has partnered with the National Employment Authority and has published the names of rogue recruitment agencies.
The PS commended the Youth Enterprise Fund for supporting young people with the necessary funds, which has played a vital role in processing travelling documents.
Youth Enterprise Fund Chief Executive Officer Mr Josiah Moriasi said finance was a challenge to many Kenyans aspiring to work abroad.
“The government commitment of getting jobs for the young people is true, and that commitment has ensured that we have several players in it. The work of the youth fund is to ensure that young people are financially facilitate”d, he said.
He said the fund has been providing loans to young people at a reasonable interest rate of 8% and a flexible payment period.
