President William Ruto has said he will be flying to Saudi Arabia next month, to sign an agreement where the two countries have agreed to employ 500,000 Kenyans.
“Those from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) want workers. Next month I will be travelling to Saudi Arabia to sign a deal in which 500,000 workers are needed,” Ruto said.
Speaking at Deliverance Church in Langata on Sunday, Ruto said the employment opportunities will not include domestic work but rather professional and skilled jobs.
“We are concluding the bilateral labour agreements and almost 12 countries want Kenyans to work there and we have made changes. Kenyans won’t go to do domestic work. We have signed bilateral agreements that include semi-skilled, skilled and professional jobs,” Ruto said.
He said the government plans to make sure youths across the country get jobs.
“We have so many Kenyans working outside the country. The President of Germany was here and he said he wants 200,000 employees. That is our plan for all these youths,” Ruto said.
The President said he will remain committed to realising job creation for the youths according to the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.
He insisted that the Affordable Housing Project will also increase the chances of youths getting employed.
In addition, he called for the construction of ICT hubs in every ward so that youths can be trained in the digital space.
He said companies such as Google, Intel and Apple acknowledged that they have job opportunities for about 300,000 Kenyans.
He elaborated that the construction of digital facilities is part of the Kenya Kwanza manifesto which aims to create employment for the youths.
"So if you hear us talk about digital superhighways, ICT hubs, hot spots in our manifesto, it's because we want to use the internet to create digital jobs for our youths," he said.