BY SAMUEL NJIIRI
Kenya is a country blessed with vast resources, a youthful and educated population and immense potential for economic growth.
Despite these advantages, the recent push to facilitate mass recruitment for jobs abroad raises critical questions about the sustainability of such initiatives and their long-term implications for the nation.
The government’s efforts to secure employment opportunities abroad, including the Qatar recruitment drive, are commendable on the surface.
They promise a lifeline for thousands of Kenyans seeking financial stability. However, the underlying reality cannot be ignored: many youths are not necessarily seeking foreign jobs out of preference but as an escape from the harsh economic conditions back home.
High unemployment rates, rising cost of living and limited opportunities have not only left them with little choice but also with reasons to seek greener pastures abroad.
This situation reflects deeper structural problems within our economy.
The export of skilled labour may provide temporary relief for individuals and their families, but it comes at a cost.
Kenya risks losing some of its brightest and most innovative minds to other countries, resulting in brain drain that could hinder the nation’s development.
A nation cannot grow sustainably if its youth, the very backbone of its workforce, are compelled to leave due to lack of opportunities at home.
Moreover, the jobs being offered abroad often involve menial tasks that do not align with the qualifications and aspirations of many Kenyan youths.
This mismatch further underscores the desperation driving their decision to leave. Instead of celebrating these initiatives, we must ask ourselves: why is it that our young people feel their future lies outside Kenya?
The government should pivot its focus towards creating an environment where youths can thrive locally.
This includes fostering a stable economy, investing in industries that generate jobs and providing incentives for entrepreneurship.
A prosperous Kenya is one where its youth find hope and opportunity within its borders, not abroad. Even though the labour export programme may offer short-term gains, it is not a sustainable solution.
The government must address the root causes of economic instability and provide a vision for growth that retains and nurtures the immense potential of Kenyan youth.
A strong nation is built by its people, not by sending them away
Samuel Njiiri is a student at Egerton University
