Kazi Majuu: Government Offers Loans to Youth for Migration Costs
The government of Kenya has unveiled a new initiative to help young people secure employment abroad, known as the Kazi Majuu program. This initiative, which will provide loans of up to Ksh300,000, aims to assist youth who have been offered job opportunities overseas but struggle to cover essential pre-travel expenses. The program focuses primarily on the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where many Kenyan youth have secured job placements. The loans will cover crucial costs such as airfare, visa fees, and other necessary expenses, enabling the youth to travel and begin their new roles.
Labour Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua made the announcement during a press briefing where he highlighted the importance of the initiative in providing opportunities to deserving young Kenyans. The program, in partnership with the Youth Fund, is designed to alleviate financial barriers that often prevent youths from pursuing employment abroad despite having secured job offers.
Mutua noted that many young people face the challenge of lacking the funds necessary to take up employment opportunities abroad, even after securing the jobs. This initiative will fill that gap and offer youth a chance to improve their lives by working in the UAE and other countries. It is hoped that the program will help bridge the financial barrier that currently hampers the mobility of Kenya’s youth.
Youth Fund’s Role in the Kazi Majuu Initiative
The Youth Fund, under the leadership of CEO Josiah Moriasi, will play a central role in disbursing the migration loans to the beneficiaries. Moriasi emphasized the fund’s commitment to supporting young people by providing financial assistance that facilitates labor mobility. The Youth Fund will disburse loans of up to Ksh300,000 to qualified applicants. The loans are specifically for young Kenyans who have received job offers abroad but need financial assistance to cover the costs associated with their migration.
Moriasi also mentioned that, in the current financial year, the Youth Fund has already disbursed Ksh94 million to support 422 youth. This funding has enabled these young individuals to access international job opportunities, significantly improving their livelihoods. The Kazi Majuu initiative is expected to expand this impact by providing more youth with the necessary resources to take up jobs in the UAE and other nations.
The Kazi Majuu migration loans are part of a broader strategy to empower young people and offer them opportunities for decent work in international markets. By supporting young people in accessing employment abroad, the initiative not only helps individual youth but also contributes to Kenya’s economic growth by encouraging global labor mobility.
Mutua Highlights Job Opportunities Abroad
According to Labour CS Alfred Mutua, the government has successfully secured thousands of job opportunities abroad for Kenyan youth. However, many qualified candidates face financial challenges when it comes to covering the pre-travel costs required to take up these opportunities. The new Kazi Majuu initiative will address this issue by providing loans to assist with the travel-related expenses that often deter young people from embarking on international job opportunities.
Mutua explained that the financial assistance offered through the initiative would help alleviate the burden on Kenyan youth and encourage them to take full advantage of employment offers abroad. The goal is to ensure that deserving youth do not miss out on life-changing opportunities due to financial constraints. He encouraged eligible youth to apply for the loans and assured them that the program would help them transition smoothly into their new jobs abroad.
In addition to providing migration loans, Mutua reiterated that the government was committed to helping youth access decent and sustainable employment opportunities abroad. The Kazi Majuu initiative is seen as a significant step in promoting labor mobility and providing Kenyan youth with the tools they need to succeed in the global job market.
Government Suspends National Job Recruitment Program
In a separate development, CS Mutua also addressed the suspension of the National Job Recruitment Program, which was initially scheduled to run until February 20, 2025. The program, which aimed to recruit Kenyans for overseas job opportunities, was officially put on hold on November 27, 2024. Despite this announcement, some individuals continued to show up at recruitment stations, prompting the Ministry to clarify the status of the program.
Mutua confirmed that the National Job Recruitment Program remains suspended until further notice, and he advised Kenyans to disregard any unofficial recruitment notices. He emphasized that the only ongoing recruitment activity was the Kisumu recruitment drive, which was conducted on February 7 and 8, 2025, as part of the Nyanza Investment Conference. The drive specifically targeted job seekers from the Nyanza counties.
Kenyans seeking overseas employment are advised to rely solely on official government communication for updates on recruitment programs. Mutua assured the public that more details would be provided regarding the next steps in due course. He expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the public and urged them to stay informed through official channels.
Youth Fund’s Financial Support for International Jobs
The Youth Fund’s role in facilitating international job opportunities is crucial to the success of the Kazi Majuu initiative. With many young people eager to work abroad, the fund provides an essential financial lifeline to those who lack the resources to cover pre-travel expenses. The loans offered by the Youth Fund are designed to help youth transition into international employment opportunities, providing them with the financial support they need to secure jobs in countries like the UAE.
In addition to providing loans for travel costs, the Youth Fund aims to empower young people by offering them a pathway to better employment prospects. Moriasi stated that the fund would continue to support youth in accessing decent jobs both locally and internationally. By enabling more youth to take up employment abroad, the Kazi Majuu initiative is seen as a vital tool for improving the livelihoods of young Kenyans and contributing to the country’s economic growth.
The partnership between the Ministry of Labour and the Youth Fund is a strategic move to ensure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of young people seeking better job opportunities. Through this collaboration, the government hopes to open up more avenues for youth to pursue fulfilling careers abroad while also benefiting the Kenyan economy through remittances and skills transfer.
