Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary (CS) Florence Bore on Saturday, February 3 flagged off the first cohort of Kenyans to work in five developed countries as pledged by President William Ruto.
CS Bore flagged off over 500 migrant workers to various countries, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Germany, Qatar, and Dubai.
The cohort of workers included drivers, health care givers, security guards, cleaners, and hospitality industry professionals.
“Wished the over 500 Kenyan migrant workers well and asked them to give their best at work as they head to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar,” noted the CS.
“You carry the flag of Kenya, representing the resilience, talent and hard work of Kenyans,” she added.
While asking the team flying out to represent the country well, the CS emphasized government’s plan to send Kenyans abroad to tap on the international labor market.
“Today’s event is a testament to our commitment as Government in the significant journey of creating employment opportunities for our Kenyans in various countries with a high demand for labour,” she said.
Speaking in Western Province on the same day, President Ruto reiterated his plans to create decent job opportunities for Kenyans both locally and abroad.
Ruto Work Promise
Ruto said he held discussions with developed nations to pay Kenyan workers between Ksh150,000 and Ksh200,000 per month.
“There are opportunities for the youth to work abroad and we have agreed that our youth will be paid between Ksh.150,000 and Ksh.200,000,” he said.
The president explained that the government already advertised foreign job opportunities for nurses adding that the number would increase to 500,000.
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“You saw us advertise 2,500 opportunities for nurses, we have negotiated for opportunities and in the next five years we will have at minimum 500,000 Kenyans working abroad,” he added.
Ruto said the government will provide employment opportunities in digital jobs and housing for local youths.
Kenyans can log into the National Employment Authority Intergrated Management System by clicking www.neaims.go.ke to access the opportunities.
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NYS Foreign Jobs
The government also announced plans to export National Youth Service – NYS graduates to work abroad.
Public Service CS Moses Kuria said NYS is at the heart of the government’s current Labor Export Program.
“We plan to export NYS servicemen and women overseas. The Labor Export process is underway as we have already begun facilitating the issuing of passports at NYS Headquarters in Ruaraka,” he stated.
Kuria spoke while in a meeting with the NYS Recruiting Officers ahead of the countrywide recruitment starting February 5th to 9th.
