Ruto’s ambitious plan to send 250,000 Kenyans overseas annually for employment aims to boost remittances and address youth unemployment.
However, this initiative has raised significant concerns among human rights advocates who fear the potential exploitation of Kenyan workers abroad. The history of Kenyan workers in Gulf countries has been marred by instances of abuse and even fatalities, particularly among domestic workers in Saudi Arabia. Families have struggled to repatriate deceased relatives, often accusing the government of inadequate support. Despite these challenges and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, remittances from the Kenyan diaspora in Gulf nations have continued to grow.
In 2021, Kenya ranked as the sixth-largest remittance-receiving country in Africa, with overseas residents sending home $4.1 billion. Edith Murogo, founder and CEO of the Centre for Domestic Training and Development in Nairobi, has voiced caution regarding the promises of overseas employment. She stresses the need for concrete actions to protect workers beyond political rhetoric. Murogo commends the Ruto administration for ratifying the International Labour Organisation treaties including the C189 Convention on Domestic Workers and the C190 Convention on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the Workplace.
These ratifications represent important steps towards safeguarding Kenyan workers abroad. The Arabian Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, are major destinations for African labour. However, Murogo warns that these countries can present hostile work environments for migrant workers. Ensuring the safety and well-being of Kenyan employees in these regions is of importance. Murogo’s efforts in combating human trafficking have gained international recognition as she recently received an award at the 20th anniversary of the TIP Report Heroes program, presided over by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
We cannot turn our kids into…
We cannot turn our kids into”beasts of burden”,booting remittance should not be afactor of importance here.Yes it’s inherently imbeded in diaspora remittance,but its not something a president of a country should brag about.
African presidents should be busy finding ways to create jobs on the continent.50 + years after independence, we should be doing better than this.
Unfortunately most african countries are still being ruled by old men,and afew old women. We need to do away with this gerontocracy. We need young men with new ideas.Young men and women like those in Gen.z, who think of the counrty first before the tribe. Yes men and women with fresh ideas and new ideas from fresh minds.
To seek work outside the…
To seek work outside the boarders should not be out of frustration for lack of work in your own country. It should be a choice one makes without government’s input. The only thing the government should do is facilitate the process,but not go to other governments and beg,” sir we have so many unemployed youths in my country,you think in the spirits of goodwill and friendship between our two countries you can have a few of them work here? Make it happen.Give tax breaks to companies that will accommodate them. I see your unemployment rate is pretty good at 4%.This will foretell well for my re-election chances.”
Destroy local economy with…
Destroy local economy with IMF drafted financial bill & enslave ur own pple on foreign lands…