Why Is Ruto Obsessed With Exporting Cheap Labor Abroad Instead of Creating Local Jobs?

President William Ruto keeps making promises about job opportunities abroad for Kenyan youths, despite no existing treaties with any foreign country to employ them.

Kenyans are wary of foreign jobs, especially in Saudi Arabia, where mistreatment is common and many Kenyans return in coffins.

They want Ruto to create local jobs so they can earn a living and enjoy the lavish lifestyles corrupt government officials lead.

Ruto Exporting Cheap Labor To Fix Youth Unemployment Crisis

Unemployment in Kenya is a ticking time bomb. The National Council for Population and Development reports that the overall unemployment rate in Kenya is 12.7%.

However, the youth (aged 15–34), who make up 35% of the population, face a staggering unemployment rate of 67%.

A 2018 report from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) revealed that nine out of ten unemployed Kenyans are 35 years and below.

This crisis is well-documented but shockingly ignored. The youth are in desperate need of jobs that allow them to contribute to national development.

Instead of addressing this, the government is focused on exporting cheap labor.

State’s Strategy: Exporting Cheap Labor

Since the Kenya Kwanza administration took office in 2022, top state officials have repeatedly mentioned negotiations with foreign countries to offer jobs to Kenyans.

However, details about these jobs are often vague, and most available positions are menial jobs, with domestic work being the most advertised.

A glance at the National Employment Authority Integrated Management System (NEAMIS) shows that over 97% of jobs offered by foreign employment agencies are low-skilled. White-collar job opportunities are scarce.

Ruto’s Push for Labor Export

Leading the charge to send Kenyans abroad is President Ruto. On July 28, 2024, he pledged to fast-track passport processing for those seeking jobs abroad and even offered to cover their flight costs.

While this may sound promising to some, the reality is far from rosy. The government is struggling financially and has yet to fulfill many of its previous promises.

The Department of Immigration, housed at Nyayo House, has repeatedly failed to process travel documents efficiently despite charging high fees.

Local Jobs Disappear as Manufacturing Sector Shrinks

According to KNBS data from April 2023, two-thirds of jobless Kenyans have given up looking for work or starting a business due to the tough economic climate. Companies are either freezing hiring or shutting down altogether.

Kenya’s manufacturing sector has been shrinking, contributing only 7.6% to GDP in 2023, down from 10.9% in 2013.

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) warned that the 2023 budget policy would harm local industries, leading to job losses and reduced competitiveness.

Despite this, President Ruto continues to defend his overseas trips as crucial for securing jobs for young Kenyans.

Yet, the Kenya Kwanza Administration remains silent on how it plans to create local jobs and support struggling industries.

Menial Jobs Dominate Overseas Opportunities

Most overseas job openings are for menial or domestic work, with few opportunities in the tech sector.

On July 30, 2024, local dailies showed Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi posing with 20 teachers who had secured jobs in the US.

While this may seem like a success, the reality is that Kenya is suffering from a teacher shortage, with student-to-teacher ratios as high as 1:70 in some cases.

The government is actively contributing to a brain drain, which may not be felt immediately but will have serious consequences for future generations.

CS Alfred Mutua: Chief Exporter of Kenyan Labor

Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Alfred Mutua, has announced plans to send Kenyan lawyers to Gulf nations that have labor agreements with Kenya.

During his vetting, Mutua stated that he wants to increase the number of Kenyans sent abroad to 5,000 per week, eventually reaching 10,000.

This strategy may secure foreign exchange for Kenya, but it also risks exploiting Kenyan workers and contributing to the ongoing brain drain.

A Cheap Source of Foreign Exchange?

During the 2024 Labor Day ceremony, President Ruto announced plans to send 250,000 Kenyans abroad each year as part of his job creation strategy.

He also hopes to increase Kenya’s remittances from abroad to $10 billion within five years.

However, the reality for many Kenyans working in Gulf countries is one of mistreatment, slavery, and denial of basic human rights.

The government’s response to these issues has been minimal, and many workers return home in dire conditions or worse.

A Ticking Time Bomb

Kenya’s youth unemployment crisis is a time bomb that previous administrations have ignored or skillfully avoided. The Kenya Kwanza government, however, seems to have stepped right into the middle of it. If not handled carefully, this issue could have severe consequences for society.

The government must take decisive action to create local jobs and address the youth unemployment crisis. If not, the long-term costs could be devastating.