Nairobi: The Kenyan government has secured over 15,000 job opportunities for youth in Canada and other countries, covering a wide range of professions. These include roles such as paramedics and construction workers, offering opportunities for both skilled and semi-skilled labour.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, stated that some of the positions offer earnings of up to Sh10,000 per day. Speaking to youth in Werugha in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta County, PS Mwadime noted that the government is shifting its labour migration strategy from Arab countries to European nations, due to challenges faced by Kenyan workers in the Middle East.
The secured positions include 5,000 openings for paramedics and 10,000 for construction workers. Opportunities in the agricultural sector are also available for seasonal work lasting up to six months. PS Mwadime emphasised that quality overseas employment opportunities are seen as a critical solution to Kenya’s youth unemployment crisis.
He questioned the freedom of individuals who are poor and cannot access food or opportunities, highlighting the high unemployment rate among educated youth. While the domestic economy cannot absorb all graduates immediately, the government is implementing parallel strategies to bridge the employment gap.
Mwadime mentioned that remittances from Kenyans working abroad, particularly in Arab countries, contribute significantly to the national economy, amounting to approximately Sh1 trillion (USD 5 billion) annually. He noted the presence of over 300,000 Kenyans living and working in the Middle East, but expressed a strategic shift towards exploring better destinations in Europe.
The PS urged youth to acquire passports immediately to take advantage of emerging overseas opportunities, assuring that for European job openings, there are no additional costs beyond acquiring a valid passport and medical report. The government has streamlined passport applications through a green channel, reducing processing time to an average of two weeks, with labour migration applications processed even faster.
Mwadime encouraged youth to visit the Kenya Labour Market Information System (KLMIS) website to identify available overseas job openings and pursue relevant short-term training programmes at polytechnics and vocational training centres. He also highlighted the over 400,000 current job openings listed on the National Employment Authority (NEA) website.
Addressing the Nyota Programme, Mwadime mentioned the Recognition of Prior Learning initiative, which allows youth to obtain verifiable certificates to help secure overseas employment. The programme has already secured opportunities for 100 youths on two- to three-year contracts.
The government is taking action against rogue recruitment agencies. Labour Market Research Analyst Becky Onguko from KLMIS warned youth about fraudsters impersonating the Nyota Program, advising that no payment is required for registration and reporting that some have lost up to Sh150,000 to conmen. The matter is now with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Onguko encouraged youth to register their skills on the KLMIS platform to access career navigation tools, emphasizing the importance of matching skills with job requirements to tackle unemployment. The initiative reflects a comprehensive government effort to expand access to meaningful employment, empower youth, and maximise the socio-economic benefits of overseas labour migration while safeguarding against fraudulent practices.
