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Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore has reiterated the government’s focus on boosting labour migration to create job opportunities for Kenyan youth.

This announcement followed her meeting with Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on the sidelines of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Bore stated that their discussion revolved around leveraging the IOM-Kenya partnership to address evolving challenges and opportunities in migration governance.

They explored how migration could contribute to sustainable development and the well-being of all Kenyans, ensuring that labour migration acts as a catalyst for development and change rather than exploitation.

“The focus of the government is to boost labour migration to ensure job opportunities are created for our Kenyan youth. Our meeting centred on how best our partnership can address the evolving challenges and opportunities in migration governance.

“How together, we can ensure that migration contributes to sustainable development and the well-being of all Kenyans, and how best through the networks of IOM, can Kenya connect to countries in need of labour as a catalyst for development and change and not exploitation,” Bore stated.

Bore also expressed her gratitude to IOM for their support across various government initiatives. She was accompanied by Shadrack Mwadime, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, and other members of the ministry’s delegation.

This meeting follows President William Ruto’s announcement that the government is seeking new bilateral agreements to export more labour force abroad.

Labour abroad

Speaking in Sotik, Bomet County, on November 19, 2023, Ruto stated that the administration aims to send 3,000 to 5,000 Kenyans abroad weekly to address high unemployment rates and boost the struggling economy.

Ruto mentioned ongoing talks with countries such as Saudi Arabia, Germany, and France to create more job opportunities for Kenyans abroad.

He revealed plans to travel to Germany to secure at least 200,000 jobs promised by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his visit to Kenya.

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