More than 494,000 young Kenyans are currently working outside the country, spread across destinations such as France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and many more.
This milestone was highlighted by President William Ruto, who described it as a source of pride and a responsibility for the government.
Speaking at State House Nairobi before hundreds of church leaders, Ruto said Kenya’s labour mobility programme is anchored in protection and fairness.
“Over 494,000 young people are working in France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and many other countries,” he said.
But the President was clear that numbers alone are not enough. He said the government has taken deliberate steps to safeguard Kenyans working overseas.
“As a government, we also make sure wherever we send our youth to work, we have bilateral agreements,” Ruto said.
These agreements, he stressed, are designed to guarantee fair pay, clear job descriptions and mechanisms for repatriation if challenges arise.
His words carried reassurance for many who have heard troubling accounts of mistreatment in foreign lands.
“We want to know how much this Kenyan is being paid, what kind of job they are doing, and also, if problems arise, how Kenyans will be brought back home.”
Yet he was candid that external opportunities remain vital, with countries like Germany, Canada, and South Korea opening their doors to Kenyan talent.
The story he told was one of ambition tempered by responsibility. Kenya’s youth are stepping into global labor markets, but they do so with the assurance that their country stands behind them.
Bilateral agreements are not just bureaucratic documents they are lifelines, ensuring that Kenyans abroad are treated with dignity and can return home safely if needed.
In his speech, Ruto reminded the nation that exporting labor is not merely about remittances or statistics.
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