DP Kithure Kindiki on December 10, 2024 engaging with other leaders on labour mobility in Karen, Nairobi// Photo Courtesy.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has attacked Kenyans for opposing Government’s commitment in lobbying jobs in the Middle East, a Kazii Majuu program
As he launched the Global Labour Market Strategy and the National Strategy on Skills for Labour Mobility at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the DP cleared the air that the government is only committed in creating jobs through establishing overseas workforce through labour mobility program.
The launch attracted several high-ranking officials, including Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Dr. Alfred Mutua, and Principal Secretaries Shadrack Mwadime (Labour), Roseline Njogu (Diaspora Affairs), and Dr. Esther Muoria (Technical, Vocational Education and Training), in addition to diplomats and senior government representatives.
Kindiki emphasized that the ‘Kazi Majuu’ program is fundamentally a labour mobility initiative and not a migration scheme as Kenyans in the recent past have claimed, but its aim is to provide job opportunities abroad while preserving the national identity and patriotism of Kenyan citizens.
The DP articulated the program’s objective of connecting Kenyan youths with employment opportunities overseas.
“We are not disposing of our people to other countries but securing them job opportunities abroad,” he affirmed.
The initiative is designed to empower workers to utilize their skills in areas where they are most needed, allowing them to earn a decent living while remaining engaged with their homeland.
Moreover, Kindiki highlighted the significance of encouraging participants to invest in Kenya and reassures them of their welcome return. He expresses hopes that this program will foster national pride and responsibility among the workers, positioning them as ambassadors for Kenya in their respective host countries.
The launch coincided with the farewell of the first group of 300 Kenyans set to depart for Qatar with an additional 7,700 workers scheduled to leave in the coming week, and another 8,000 planned to depart by March 2025. Since its inception, the Kazi Majuu program has facilitated over 282,000 diaspora jobs within just two years.
Despite facing criticisms from various segments of the public, Kindiki has come out to defend the initiative, arguing that it offers valuable prospects for individuals struggling to secure jobs domestically yet are skilled.
He called on critics to lend their support to this transformative program, which he believes will significantly improve the lives of many Kenyans.
“Let us not oppose a program for Kenyans who lack jobs yet they have gotten opportunities that they want to pursue. If you have a job, thank God. There is someone else who does not have a job,” he stated.
The Kazi Majuu program represents a dedicated effort by the Kenyan government to address unemployment and also to enhance the skills and prospects of its workforce.
