President Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government have reaffirmed the commitment to lower the rates of unemployment especially among the Kenyan youth. Since June 2022 and July 2023, the Kenyan Government, through Private Employment Agencies, secured employment for over 123,000 Kenyans both locally and internationally.

Out of these, 105,796 found opportunities abroad, predominantly in Saudi Arabia, with an additional 78,740 placements in other countries.

 Locally, 17,318 individuals secured varied jobs distributed across counties. Projects the President has commissioned such as the various Affordable Housing Projects across the country account for a big percentage of this number.

PS Shadrack Mwadime PS to the State Department of Labor Skills and Development highlighted the government’s strict vetting process for private employment agencies.

Mr. Shadrack Mwadime said the number of Kenyans in the diaspora has continued to increase in the recent years, currently estimated to stand at 4 million with a significant number of these being migrant workers.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Environment Agency (NEA) headquarters in Kasarani, the PS said the government has an established Inter-Ministerial vetting committee that is responsible for advising the Labour CS on matters related to work permits in relation to security issues and vetting the application for registration made by employment bureaus and agencies.

“Private employment agencies are required to obtain government approvals and license prior to sending Kenyan citizens for employment outside Kenya” emphasized the PS.

The Government has vetted a total of 983 Private Employment Agencies out of which 510 agencies were found valid while 473 possessed expired licenses. The PS stated that the vetting process been reviewed. Anyone seeking to open or operate or renew private employment agency will be required to appear before the vetting Committee in person.

Labour migration is an immense socio-economic benefits to both countries of origin and destination,

It is a source of employment and livelihood for migrant workers while bridging skill gaps in destination countries. It supports skills development and technological transfer in the countries of origin and is a source of the much-needed remittances in the migrant workers countries

Mr. Mwadime urged citizens to report distress cases or rogue agencies using official channels like the NEA website or the Toll-Free Line (0800222223). This action strengthens efforts to monitor agencies and protect job seekers from deceitful practices.