Cabinet Secretary nominee for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Alfred Mutua has indicated that he plans to ensure that between five thousand and ten thousand Kenyans are flown abroad every week for employment opportunities.

Speaking during his vetting by the Parliament Committee on Appointment on Sunday, August 4, 2024, Mutua stated that he would surpass the current numbers set by President William Ruto at 1,000 a week.

“On the labour migration, I want to move the numbers that are there to about 5,000 a week to 10,000 people going overseas,” Mutua noted.

He added: “Kenyans are not lazy; our young people are very active, very smart and very sharp; but they need opportunities, not handouts.”

On July 28, 2024, President William Ruto noted that the government would facilitate the travel requirements of Kenyans leaving the country for jobs abroad, including their air tickets.

“Mimi nimepanga ya kwamba mtu akitaka kuenda kwa hio ajira ng’ambo anapatiwa passport ndani ya wiki moja. Tunapatiana kila kitu ambayo inahitajika ndani ya wiki moja. Haihitaji hata pesa ya kulipa ndege, sisi tutalipa ndege (I have planned that anyone interested in flying out for those jobs will get their passports in less than a week. We also give out everything else required in just a week. They do not even require the air ticket money as it is catered for),”

Speaking in Taita Taveta County, after a church service, the Head of State announced that 1,000 Kenyans fly out to work in foreign countries under the labour export programme.

“I have done my work, I have looked for jobs abroad. I have planned for those going for overseas jobs to get their passports in one week. They do not even need money for flight tickets, we will pay for flights,” Ruto said.

Ruto praised the State Department of Labour and Skill Development led by Principal Secretary (PS) Shadrack Mwadime, credited for spearheading the programme.

“Kila wiki, vijana elfu moja wanaondoka Kenya kuenda kufanya kazi katika sehemu zingine duniani. Kila wiki 1,000 na sasa Taita mjipange (every week, 1,000 youth depart the country to go and work in other foreign countries. Every week, 1,000 so Taita you should make plans),” Ruto stated.

The head of state indicated that there are more than 400,000 jobs abroad and that it was upon the local MPs to ensure that young people obtain them.