Saturday, March 28, 2026(NAIROBI, Kenya)–H.E President William Ruto, Ph.D, has underscored his administration’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment through various approaches including diaspora job placement -Kazi Majuu.
The President revealed that the government’s flagship Kazi Majuu program has successfully secured employment for thousands of Kenyans abroad.
Speaking today during the official opening of the four-day 19th Ambassadors Conference in Nairobi, President Ruto highlighted the program’s significant impact on the national economy, noting that diaspora remittances surged past $5 billion in 2025. This figure, he stated, now represents the country’s single largest source of foreign exchange, surpassing traditional earners like tea, horticulture, and tourism.
“We are the government with a clear and intentional plan to create opportunities for our young people,” President Ruto told the gathering of Kenyan ambassadors and diplomats.
He detailed the success of the overseas employment strategy, stating: “Specifically, through our overseas employment programme - Kazi Majuu – more than 540,000 Kenyans have secured employment opportunities abroad. This is a key reason why diaspora remittances exceeded $5 billion in 2025, making them our largest single source of foreign exchange.”
While lauding the achievements of the program, the President issued a firm directive to the country’s diplomatic corps to intensify efforts in expanding these opportunities. He called on the ambassadors to work closely with the State Department of Diaspora Affairs to identify and secure new markets and territories for Kenyan skilled and talented workforce.
“Given the immense opportunities being created through this programme, I expect you - working closely with the State Department of Diaspora Affairs - to give it focused attention, with a view to expanding into new markets and territories,” the Head of State said.
However, the President cautioned that the expansion must not come at the expense of worker safety. He emphasized that the government is prioritizing the strengthening of bilateral labor agreements to ensure that Kenyan workers abroad are treated with dignity and their rights are legally protected.
“At the same time, I expect the bilateral frameworks governing the employment of our citizens abroad to be strong, enforceable, and genuinely protective of their rights and dignity,” the President added.
The 19th Ambassadors Conference serves as a strategic meeting for Kenya’s envoys to align foreign policy with the administration’s domestic development agenda. The President’s remarks signal that diaspora diplomacy will remain a central pillar of Kenya’s foreign policy.
Hon. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Aden Duale-Cabinet Secretary for Health, Ms. Roseline K. Njogu-PS for Diaspora Affairs and her Foreign Affairs counterpart, Dr. Korir Sing'oei among other senior ministry officials were present at the event