This archive report was first published on 15 December 2019.
On December 15, 2019, the Kenyan government announced plans to seek employment opportunities for its citizens in the Middle East during the next year's World Expo in Dubai.
This move is a significant step in addressing the country's bulging youth population and rising unemployment.
According to the Trade ministry, the government is targeting the placement of education and health officers in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states.
Unlike the current trend where thousands of Kenyan citizens are exported to fill menial positions, this initiative focuses on placing qualified workers in better-paying jobs.
The government aims to increase tourism and attract investors in the oil and gas sectors, in addition to exporting labour.
With a significant number of Kenyan workers currently under the radar of the government, this move could help mitigate the woes associated with payment disputes and host governments' laws.
Kenya has a substantial number of registered health workers, with 175,681 professionals in the sector as of 2019, and a large number of qualified teachers who cannot be employed due to a shortage of funds.
By focusing on exporting qualified labour, the government can help ease the unemployment problem and contribute to the country's economic development.
