The government will offer loans of up to Ksh300,000 to Kenyans seeking jobs abroad.
The funds will be drawn from the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF). The Youth Fund’s primary goal is to reduce youth unemployment through enterprise development.
It provides financial support and business development services to youth-owned enterprises, aiming to enhance economic opportunities and encourage youth participation in nation-building. However, the fund will now also be used to sponsor Kenyans taking up jobs abroad through the government programme, Kazi Majuu.
“The government has secured job opportunities abroad, but many qualified youth cannot take up these positions due to financial constraints, such as visa fees and airfare. This partnership will help bridge this gap and instil a savings culture,” said the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Alfred Mutua.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua engaging youths at Bomas of Kenya, January 17, 2025.
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Mutua
In a statement on Wednesday, February 19, the government revealed that it will use funds from the kitty to sponsor Kenyans unable to meet pre-travel costs for the jobs.
“The initiative, dubbed Kazi Majuu, will target youth who have secured jobs abroad but face financial challenges in meeting pre-travel costs. Eligible candidates can access migration loans of up to Ksh300,000,” the statement reads in part.
Originally, the Youth Fund was conceived to combat unemployment by granting loans to young Kenyans in groups for joint business ventures, individual entrepreneurs seeking capital for their businesses and providing financial support for youth participating in government tenders and agricultural enterprises to promote agribusiness among the youth.
However, discussions have been ongoing about restructuring the fund to focus more on innovation and livelihoods, offering grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance to youth-led enterprises and youth-focused development initiatives.
As of December 2024, over 243,000 Kenyans have secured employment abroad through government initiatives since September 2022. The government aims to facilitate the migration of one million workers annually over the next three years.
Kenyan workers have been deployed to various countries, including Germany, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Kuwait, which have welcomed Kenyan workers in sectors such as domestic work, security, and hospitality.
Other destinations, including Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Northern Ireland, have also been identified as key locations for Kenyan workers.
On average, depending on the destination, one-way tickets can range from approximately Ksh70,000 to Ksh300,000. Some recruitment agencies have charged fees of up to Ksh120,000 for job placement services. Other expenses include passports, visas, and medical examinations.
“The Fund is committed to supporting the government’s labour mobility programme by removing financial barriers that hinder youth from taking up jobs overseas. In the current financial year, we have disbursed Ksh94 million to 422 youth, with a 100 per cent loan repayment rate,” said Youth Fund CEO Josiah Arabu Moriasi.
President William Ruto during a meeting with the Federation of Saudi Chambers at State House, Nairobi, on February 11, 2025.
PCS