By John Kariuki
Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development, Hon Shadrack Mwadime, has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to placing job creation at the heart of its national development strategy. Speaking at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference in Geneva, PS Mwadime outlined bold steps the government is taking to stimulate employment and promote decent work across all sectors of the economy.
Making his intervention during the presentation of the ILO Director General’s Report, themed “Jobs, Rights and Growth: Reinforcing the Connection,” PS Mwadime noted that the theme strongly resonates with Kenya’s Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda. He said the agenda is built on advancing inclusive and sustainable economic growth through productive employment and social justice.
PS Mwadime emphasized that the government has adopted an integrated approach to job creation by investing in infrastructure, offering targeted incentives to micro, small, and medium enterprises, and expanding credit access through the Hustler Fund.
He reported significant progress in aligning national labour laws with international standards. Kenya has accelerated the domestication of ratified ILO conventions, resulting in recent amendments to the Employment Act, the Labour Institutions Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. PS Mwadime said these legislative changes reflect Kenya’s evolving decent work priorities.
Addressing climate-related labour challenges, PS Mwadime highlighted the government’s investment in green jobs through the Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan. He pointed to Kenya’s adoption of circular economy principles and upskilling efforts aimed at ensuring a just transition for workers affected by climate change.
“Climate change has profound implications for the labour market. Kenya is proactively building adaptive capacity among its workforce to respond to these realities,” said PS Mwadime.
He also shared updates on the modernization of Kenya’s Labour Inspection and Compliance Framework. According to PS Mwadime, the digitization of inspection systems and capacity building for officers has led to improved coverage and higher compliance in both the formal and informal sectors. Key gains include better enforcement of occupational health and safety standards, increased social security registration, and enhanced efforts to eliminate child labour.
In conclusion, PS Mwadime commended the ILO for maintaining a strong focus on decent work amid global uncertainty, economic inequality, and climate disruptions. He reiterated Kenya’s readiness to partner with international stakeholders in creating fair, safe, and inclusive work environments.
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