Gov’t to Set Up a System to Track Kenyans Working Abroad
The Ministry of Labor is in the process of setting up a data management system for Kenyans working abroad.
The database will help the government keep track of Kenyan migrant workers amid a spike in the number of citizens moving abroad in search of greener pastures.
With the database, it will be easier for the government to determine the exact number of Kenyans working abroad, their countries of work, employers, and their skills.
Labor Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui said the move is part of the efforts by his ministry to upgrade its labor migration management system under the National Employment Authority (NEA).
This, he said, will allow for automated services such as job seeker registration, local and overseas job applications, as well as registration and approval of private recruitment agencies.
It will also enable the government to register and keep track of migrant laborers within Kenya, to weed out those working without permits.
“The challenge we are currently facing is lack of a comprehensive labor migration management system, that can track all the activities of our migrant workers,” Chelugui said as quoted by Business Daily.
“We would be interested to partner with ICT professionals in the development of this integrated system.”
Kenya exported at least 39,000 labor migrants in 2021, with a majority securing employment opportunities in the Middle East while the rest went to European and North American countries.
The Labor Ministry says approximately four million Kenyans are currently working abroad, with the bulk of them being low-skilled and semi-skilled workers.
“Our focus now is to ensure that we send mostly skilled workers in the medical engineering and hospitality fields in order to increase our diaspora remittances,” Chelugui said earlier this year.
He noted that the government is prioritizing labor migration as part of the efforts to boost foreign exchange earnings from remittances sent back to the country by Kenyans abroad.
Last year, Kenyans abroad sent home $3.718 billion (Sh421.6 billion), a new all-time yearly record for diaspora remittances. The inflows grew 20.2 percent from $3.094 billion (Sh350.9 billion) remitted in the previous year.
Comments (24)
There are always suspicions when the government tries to come up with policies involving diasporans. for example, why do we have to apply to regain citizenship of a country we were born in after the new constitution came into being?
Has anyone reapplied and got. ? Last time I used Kenya passport without a problem. Just keep renewing Kenya passport and upon retirement fly one way
@Go crypto, what if the original Kenya was lost?
I believe you can swear affidavit on lost one and apply
@Go Crypto, I did. Surprisingly my brother chose not to because he saw no value in a Kenya passport. He was able to get a Kenya ID because he had his birth certificate and signatures and affidavits from people who barely knew him. He pays $50 and flies in as an American and whips out his Kenya ID once he is on the ground. The Canadian lawyer could have done the same of he wasn't a loudmouth.
Alright fly using one way ticket to abroad. no much problem, but the problem is this thing is there to abuse rights and to lawfull quest for lawfull work, ...f*#k.
Kwani what does the new constitution say that erased what the old said about dual citizenship?
(5) A person who is a Kenyan citizen by birth and who has ceased to be a Kenyan citizen because the person acquired citizenship of another country, is entitled on application to regain Kenyan citizenship.
Thank you @Mundumugo.
Yes, "on application". Those who had given up their citizenship MUST 'apply' to be granted the status... I don't know which script the migunas of this world are reading.
Easier said than done, you not in any of our shoes to see how hard it is to gain dual citizenship.
Thugs Cherugui & Co.should first protect Kenyans working in Middle East countries who are slaughtered daily by their Arab slave owners.They should also reduce heavy taxation without return for struggling companies/investors which are being closed on daily basis.This can only be done by downsizing the bloated govt and fighting corruption from president(Uhuru’s shs 200b EUROBOND & shs 217b COVID loans) downwards not from constable or messenger upwards.
How about you track local Kenyans without jobs and help them so they migrate? Create jobs create jobs create jobs for Kenyans.
Interesting, the government will spend billions to setup a system to track Kenyans working abroad, but they cannot spend millions to assist Kenyans working abroad. We have our priorities upside down. I was expecting the CS to setup a system to increase investments from the Diaspora community (kind of a win/win situation).
BS! There is an ulterior motive for doing this;
Double taxation for those who work in countries that do not have a double taxation treaty with Kenya e.g USA.
These idiots didn’t address slavery and homicides/murder of Kenyans in the Middle East.
Such a move sounds hogwash. The government should be up in solving the reasons why Kenyans are moving abroad in the first place. The government should be in the business of creating more jobs for self reliance instead of depending with diaspora goodwill remittances. I have never understood why these government officials always come out with wacky misplaced priorities.
Thank @kk we don't need your stupid ideas help kenyan first track the Jobles
The way the Kenya government conducts some business reminds me of a shooting star that starts out with a high flash but fizzles in seconds. Mnakumbuka all the hullabaloo ya Huduma Namba? I think some of these projects are designed ili watu wengine wakule.
Stop fooling us bana CS. Many in western word can fend for themselves and laws exist that can protect them from mistreatment of any kind, whether legal or illegal. But those in " sultanland" need your protection. How I wish your sister or daughter Mr CS goes through the horrors these girls go through in the Arabian peninsula.
Stop fooling us bana CS. Many in western word can fend for themselves and laws exist that can protect them from mistreatment of any kind, whether legal or illegal. But those in " sultanland" need your protection. How I wish your sister or daughter Mr CS goes through the horrors these girls go through in the Arabian peninsula.
Your Embassies have been sleeping on the job...rewrite their Job Descriptions....
After going round and round with words that did not make sense,finally the truth comes out at the end...$$$$$
Iam beginning to wonder why they gov. does not take action to rectify the problem of many Kenyans dying in the Arab world.Its it because they engage in low paying jobs?
Finally, reading this article makes me wonder if the government is happy that Kenyans who cannot be gainfully employed in Kenya due to lack of jobs should "invade" other countries.We do not "export" labor, we" prostitute "it. Now we are look for the "highest bidder".
Track all you can. But a Kenyan trying to come back home to retire, cannot get dual citizenship. talk about double standards.
The Kenyan US Immigration Office never answers diasporan phone calls nor reply emails.
You Kenyan government is joking in your primitive workstyles. Change!!t
Thats why we want Miguna Miguna back to fire you all.
The exercise will cost millions for what ?
Kenya government has nothing to do with those who look for work outside Kenya. we do it either because we cannot get jobs in Kenya ( reserved for the privileged or those who bribe) or there are no vacancies and some of us want to get out and get exposed to the free world . stop madness of tracing where we got lucky or unlucky do your job create jobs so that people stay and build kenya . your aim to send well skilled is for personal gain as you braindrain the country - IDIOTS !!!!!
HOW THE HELL WILL THEY KNOW WHAT AM DOING WHEN OUT OF KENYA? DO WE HAVE TO START FILLING IN FORMS ON DEPARTURE . WE HAVE ONLY IDIOTS LEADERS . REASON WE WILL NEVER EXCEL