The government of Kenya will now give loans of up to Sh300,000 to youths who secure jobs abroad through the Kazi Majuu program, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has announced.
This followed a meeting between the CS and the Youth Fund team led by CEO Josiah Moriasi.
According to Mutua, it was agreed that the Youth Fund would provide loans to youths who will have secured jobs but lack the finances to cover pre-travel costs.
“The Youth Fund will provide migration loans of up to Sh300,000 to eligible youth who have secured jobs in the UAE and other countries but face financial challenges in meeting pre-travel costs such as visa fees, airfare, and other necessary expenses,” he wrote on X.
Present at the meeting was Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime.
The CS noted that the government has successfully secured thousands of job opportunities abroad, but many qualified candidates struggle to take up the positions due to financial constraints.
“This partnership will help bridge that gap, ensuring that deserving young Kenyans do not miss out on life-changing opportunities due to lack of funds.”
Mutua said the Youth Fund CEO reiterated his commitment to supporting youths across the country in the labour mobility program.
He added that the move also aligns with the government’s goal of empowering young people to grow Kenya’s economy.
“CEO Moriasi reaffirmed the Youth Fund’s commitment to supporting labour mobility by removing financial barriers that hinder youth from accessing jobs overseas.
“This initiative aligns with our broader goal of empowering young people by providing them with the means to access decent and well-paying jobs globally, ultimately improving livelihoods and contributing to Kenya’s economic growth.”
This comes against the backdrop of recent initiatives by the government which have seen Kenyan youths export labour to Europe and the Middle East.
These jobs are a result of partnerships between the government of Kenya and the countries where the jobs are secured.
So far Kenya youths have been sent to work in Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Dubai among other places.
Kazi Majuu is one of the initiatives by the Kenya Kwanza administration to reduce the unemployment menace in Kenya.
