The Kenyan government has set an ambitious target to place one million Kenyans in foreign employment by December, according to Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua. This goal builds on the 701,481 Kenyans who have already travelled overseas for employment under the current administration. Mutua made the announcement at the National Industrial Training Authority graduation ceremony, emphasizing the government's commitment to expanding job opportunities for Kenyans abroad.
The government's strategy to achieve this target involves the Kazi Majuu programme, which focuses on securing additional job opportunities for newly trained graduates in foreign markets. Technical and vocational training is at the core of this strategy, linking practical skills acquired locally to overseas job openings. This approach aims to equip Kenyans with the skills required to compete in the global job market.
To ensure the success of this programme, the government highlighted the need to protect Kenyan workers from recruitment fraud and exploitation. In the past, there have been concerns over misleading offers to Russia and the Middle East. In June 2026, Mutua denied any state involvement in sending Kenyans to fight in Russia and affirmed that participants in his programme were received by Kenya's ambassador in Moscow and prepared for legitimate employment.
The government has also taken steps to regulate the recruitment of domestic workers and protect the rights of both workers and employers. A High Court order in June required the government to vet all local recruitment agencies to safeguard migrants heading to the Middle East. Additionally, a July 2026 bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia aims to establish a framework for the recruitment of domestic workers.
Saudi Arabia remains a key destination for Kenyan workers, and the government is working to ensure that their rights are protected. Kenyan law now requires foreign employment contracts to be authenticated before workers depart, a step intended to curb abuse and ensure access to assistance during emergencies. This move is part of a broader effort to strengthen protection mechanisms for migrant workers.
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs emphasized that the success of Kenya's overseas employment agenda should be measured not only by numbers but also by the robustness of protection mechanisms for migrant workers. The government is working to balance the need to expand job opportunities with the need to protect Kenyan workers from exploitation and abuse.
As the government works to achieve its target, it is also addressing concerns over recruitment fraud and exploitation. The Kazi Majuu programme is expected to play a critical role in securing legitimate job opportunities for Kenyans abroad. With the right support and protection mechanisms in place, the programme could help to achieve the government's goal of one million overseas jobs by December.
Key points
- The Kenyan government aims to place one million Kenyans in foreign employment by December.
- The Kazi Majuu programme will play a critical role in securing job opportunities for Kenyans abroad.
- The government is working to strengthen protection mechanisms for migrant workers, including the authentication of foreign employment contracts.
