GOV’T URGES THE YOUTH SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD TO DO DUE DILIGENCE, PREPARE ADEQUATELY

The Government has called on the youth seeking employment opportunities abroad to do due diligence, to arm themselves with accurate information, the right skills and proper documentation, as part of intensified efforts to promote safe, orderly and regular labour mobility.

Speaking during a diaspora sensitization exercise held on the sidelines of the third edition of the Kazi Majuu Football Tournament at Kianjai Primary School in Tigani West-Meru County, the Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Ms. Roseline Kathure Njogu, said the Government is deliberately taking information on opportunities and services directly to communities so that citizens can pursue jobs abroad safely, responsibly and from an informed position.

"Our role is not just to connect Kenyans to jobs abroad, but to ensure that every prospective diaspora worker understands the processes, the opportunities, the risks and the Government support services available to them," PS Njogu said.

The PS was joined by her counterpart, Mr. Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Cooperatives, who lauded the initiative and called for greater cooperation among stakeholders to ensure young Kenyans are adequately prepared to take full advantage of the opportunities available in the global labour market.

The engagement brought together institutions and organizations from the National Government, County Government, development partners and the private sector, effectively turning the tournament grounds into a one-stop information-sharing platform. Young people interacted directly with agencies responsible for labour mobility, skills development, enterprise development and access to Government services.

Among the institutions that made presentations were the National Employment Authority (NEA), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), HAART Kenya, the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Huduma Kenya and the Premier Maritime Training Institute (PMTI), each sharing details of its programmes, services and the opportunities available to participants.

The initiative underscores the Government's commitment to protecting Kenyans from the dangers of irregular migration and unscrupulous recruitment practices by ensuring that workers embark on their overseas journeys with proper preparation and legitimate channels.