Kiambu Deputy Governor Rosemary Kirika has challenged young Kenyans to rethink their approach to unemployment, urging them to embrace innovation, acquire practical skills and explore employment opportunities beyond the country’s borders.
Kirika said the changing global labour market offered immense opportunities for skilled Kenyan workers, calling on young people to position themselves to compete for jobs both locally and internationally.
She spoke during celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Cascade Institute of Hospitality and the launch of its new campus along the Ruiru Eastern Bypass. She also called for increased investment in technical and vocational education to prepare graduates for the increasingly competitive job market.
How many Kenyans secured jobs abroad in 2024/2025?
Her remarks come amid growing opportunities for Kenyans seeking employment abroad, with more than 103,800 securing jobs in foreign countries during the 2024/2025 financial year.
The contribution of Kenyans living and working abroad to the economy has also continued to grow, with diaspora remittances reaching a record KSh666.7 billion in 2024, equivalent to approximately 4% of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In 2025, remittance inflows rose to approximately $5.04 billion, accounting for about 3.7% of GDP. The funds support millions of households through investments in education, healthcare, housing and businesses, while providing the country with an important source of foreign exchange.
“We have been talking about unemployment, and this should challenge us to move to the next level of innovation by identifying opportunities beyond our borders. We have opportunities at home and abroad, and it is encouraging to see our young people competing in both markets,” Kirika said.
Govt warns Kenyans against TikTok recruiters
Meanwhile, Irene Karari, Director of Skills and Expertise at the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, warned young Kenyans against falling victim to fraudulent recruitment agencies exploiting the growing demand for overseas employment.
Karari noted that unregistered recruitment agents were increasingly targeting unsuspecting jobseekers through social media platforms, including TikTok, with promises of lucrative employment opportunities abroad.
She said such schemes exposed applicants to financial exploitation and the risk of human trafficki*g, urging learning institutions to verify the credentials of recruitment agencies before allowing them to place their graduates in foreign jobs.
“Institutions must establish the credentials of anyone approaching them to recruit their students and ensure they are registered with the National Employment Authority. We have heard of cases of human trafficki-g and Kenyans being mistreated abroad after responding to recruitment advertisements on TikTok without conducting due diligence,” she said.
Karari further encouraged young people to seek guidance from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs before pursuing employment opportunities overseas to safeguard themselves against exploitation.
Cascade Institute of Hospitality founder Sylvester Njuguna said the hospitality and tourism industry remained a major source of employment globally, offering skilled workers opportunities to build careers while promoting cultural exchange and entrepreneurship.
He emphasised that technical training alone was insufficient to guarantee success, noting that graduates also needed professionalism, discipline, cultural awareness and a commitment to excellent service.
“Success in hospitality requires more than technical skills. It also calls for professionalism, discipline, cultural awareness and dedication to excellent service. We are proud to see our graduates performing well on the global stage,” Njuguna said.
Kouzon Corporation Director in Kenya Zoran Kocoski also called for the internationalisation of technical training to ensure Kenyan graduates acquired skills and competencies that met global industry standards.
Students who attended the celebrations, led by Tiffany Ruth and George Kimani, said vocational training had transformed their outlook by equipping them with practical competencies to pursue employment and entrepreneurship.
Ruth challenged young people to stop dwelling on unemployment and instead take deliberate steps towards achieving their ambitions through skills acquisition.
