- Roseline Njogu says overseas employment opportunities are benefiting Kenyan youth and supporting their families economically.
- The Diaspora Affairs PS encourages jobseekers to acquire skills and use licensed private recruitment agencies.
- A football tournament in Meru provides a platform for information on government employment programmes.
Kenyans abroad bring in about US$5 billion in foreign exchange, Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu has said, adding that about 600,000 Kenyans have secured employment abroad through the Kazi Majuu programme.
Njogu said the figure had grown by 25 per cent over the past three and a half years, up from US$4 billion recorded previously.
Speaking during the launch of the third edition of the Kazi Majuu Football Tournament at Kianjai Primary School on Saturday, October 3, the Diaspora Affairs PS said six million Kenyans had indirectly benefited from the programme, estimating that each of the 600,000 beneficiaries supported about 10 family members.
“The Kazi Majuu programme has grown by 25 per cent since it was initiated three and a half years ago. This amounts to US$5 billion, up from US$4 billion in previous years. The ambitious initiative is working and making a big impact on Kenyans, specifically youth, who are the main beneficiaries. I urge residents to embrace it by enrolling to enable them to benefit. So far, we have over 600,000 beneficiaries, each having 10 members, translating to six million Kenyans,” said the Diaspora Affairs PS.
She lauded President William Ruto for spearheading the Kazi Majuu programme, noting that the number of beneficiaries had risen from 583,000 recently.
She said the programme is meant to help youth secure jobs at the grassroots level, online and abroad.
Sports as an information platform
“All the winners will walk away with games kits, balls, trophies and awards. I encourage the youth to fully embrace the programme by registering through the right channels since they stand to benefit from vital government services both locally and abroad,” she said.
She said some beneficiaries had already completed their courses and returned to Kenya, while others had secured jobs abroad, with the United Kingdom being the preferred destination.
PS Njogu said sports provide a platform to inform and sensitise youth on the advantages of the government’s interventions in addressing unemployment.
“We are using sports as a platform to inform the youth about the advantages of government services, from the grassroots to the national level. Certified skilled labour from TVETs and a licence from a genuine travel agency are key to qualifying to go abroad to various countries. During this tournament, youth will be informed on how to look for jobs as they interact with our officers on the ground,” said PS Njogu.
She said such events enable the ministry to engage and educate young people about the government’s three-pronged agenda, including Kazi Kwa Ground, Kazi Majuu and Kazi Kwa Mtandao.
“The football tournament has become an important aspect in educating youth about what Kazi Majuu is and its importance in having their skills and abilities recognised globally,” said PS Njogu.
Skills and licensed recruitment agencies
PS Njogu said the role of TVET institutions is to build the skilled workforce needed in the market because they specialise in producing skilled professionals.
She advised potential jobseekers to get a passport and acquire a skill, which would help them market themselves and enter another society at a higher level.
“I advise all potential jobseekers to ensure they get a passport and a skill to help them market themselves and enter another society at a higher level. All jobseekers should work with licensed private recruitment agencies (PRAs), whose information can be found on the State Department’s website,” said the PS.
Diaspora Affairs PS Roseline Njogu launches the third edition of the Kazi Majuu Football Tournament at Kianjai Primary School in Tigania West Constituency, Meru County. She is accompanied by Cooperatives PS Patrick Kilemi and Meru County Sports CECM Elias Murega.Expressing similar sentiments, PS Mugambi lauded the initiative, terming it a game changer meant to transform many Kenyans economically.
He said the proportion of direct beneficiaries would soon reach four out of 10 Kenyans.
He urged Kenyans to embrace the programme to benefit fully, noting that youth would be actively engaged to ensure their involvement in all aspects.
READ ALSO: West Mugirango MP urges joint action to keep children in school and prevent child labour
PS Mugambi said he was impressed by the programme, noting that, owing to the country’s education system, many Kenyans were currently employed abroad.
By John Majau
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
Reader Discussion (0)
Sign in to comment