By Afrireport 
A growing conversation around labour migration and youth employment took centre stage this week after remarks by Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria Mutua reignited debate on opportunities abroad for Kenyan workers.
Speaking during a public engagement, Mutua reflected on the shifting perceptions of informal sector workers and the economic realities pushing many young Kenyans to seek jobs outside the country.
His comments came against the backdrop of rising unemployment, underemployment and persistent concerns over low wages in key sectors of the economy.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that many Kenyans traditionally viewed jobs such as boda boda riding as temporary or survival occupations.
However, he said the global labour market was increasingly absorbing individuals from such backgrounds, offering them structured employment and significantly higher earnings.
Mutua revealed that he had received a message from a Kenyan who previously worked as a boda boda rider and is now employed in Dubai.
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According to the CS, the individual indicated that he currently earns about Ksh120,000 per month, a figure that has sparked wide public discussion about the potential benefits of overseas employment.
The revelation was used by Mutua to underline the government’s push for organised labour migration.
He said Kenya was actively negotiating bilateral labour agreements with several countries in the Middle East, Europe and Asia to ensure citizens working abroad are protected and properly remunerated.
“The issue is not just about going abroad, but about going through the right channels,” Mutua said, adding that cases of exploitation and human trafficking often arise when workers use unregulated recruitment agents.
He reiterated that the government’s labour export programme is designed to match skills with demand, even for jobs that do not require advanced academic qualifications.
According to the CS, many foreign employers value discipline, work ethic and practical skills, attributes common among workers in Kenya’s informal sector.
Mutua also challenged Kenyans to rethink attitudes towards vocational training and manual work, saying dignity of labour should be upheld regardless of where one is employed.
He maintained that remittances from Kenyans working abroad continue to play a critical role in supporting families and boosting the national economy.
His remarks have since drawn mixed reactions, with some praising the opportunities created through labour migration, while others warn against glamorising overseas work without addressing local job creation.
