Kenyan President William Ruto has announced that the government will purchase air tickets for Kenyans who secure jobs abroad.
Ruto stated that 1,000 Kenyans fly out of the country every week to work in foreign countries under the government-backed labor export program.
He further stated that the government has already secured 400,000 job opportunities abroad.
“I have done my part in searching for jobs abroad, and anyone who wants to travel will be given a passport within one week,” Ruto explained.
The move is intended to address the issue of youth unemployment in the East African nation.
However, many youths are opposed to Ruto’s move, arguing that he should instead create jobs in Kenya, as many are unwilling to leave.
The youths have been participating in protests calling for Ruto’s resignation for the past month.
Last year, Ruto signed bilateral agreements with Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states to export labor from Kenya. He plans to have 250,000 Kenyan nationals work abroad annually.
The East African Community has a population of over 150 million people, and Kenya leads with the highest unemployment rate.
Data on unemployment in the region show that one in every five Kenyans is unemployed, compared to Tanzania, where it is one in every 20. It further indicates that more than half of the young people in East Africa, aged 15-35, are unemployed.
