Kindiki, Mutua meet over hiring of youths for jobs abroad

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during a meeting with Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua at his Official Residence in Karen, on November 13, 2024/DPCS

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday met Labour and Social protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua over the ongoing recruitment of youths for jobs abroad.

According to Kindiki, the Kenya Kwanza administration is investing in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to equip youths with market-ready skills and competencies.

He said this will make them ready for the job markets abroad.

The Deputy President went on to say that such skill will also help in upscaling Kenya’s industrialisation agenda.

Kindiki said the government still negotiating for more opportunities abroad under the labour migration programme.

“To tackle the youth unemployment challenge, the Government is investing in Technical and Vocational Education to equip millions of young people across the Country with market-ready knowledge, skills and competencies.

“President William Ruto’s administration is negotiating for more job opportunities abroad under the export of labour programme. To ensure a structured and beneficial labour migration programme, Kenya is signing more bilateral labour agreements with other countries to open up opportunities for Kenyans in semi-skilled and professional fields,” Kindiki said.

He added that the government is also setting up ICT Hubs in each of the 290 Constituencies to expose the youth to digital jobs.

The two leaders met at the DP’s Official Residence in Karen.

Mutua briefed the Deputy President on the ongoing recruitment and sensitization programme that targets to secure one million jobs per year through the export of labour programme.

The first phase of the recruitment took place a few weeks ago, where over 20,000 young people showed up for recruitment at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

Only 3,000 jobs were available.

The Kenya Kwanza administration campaigned on a promise to create jobs for the many youths who are struggling and one of the ways they are looking to achieve this is by exporting labour to other countries.

Already Kenya has an agreement with Germany and is working with other countries including those in the Middle East to finalise agreements on how to go about the labour export.