Kazi Majuu Initiative: Govt targets one million Kenyans working abroad by December, 2026

The Kenyan government aims to have one million Kenyans working abroad by December 2026 through the Kazi Majuu initiative. Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua announced this target at the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) graduation ceremony on October 8, 2026. Currently, there are 701,481 Kenyans who have traveled abroad for work since the government took over managing the vision value of the country.

Mutua emphasized the government's determination to reach the one-million mark by the end of the year and actively seek new employment opportunities overseas for skilled workers. The initiative places technical and vocational training at the heart of Kenya's overseas employment strategy, aiming to transform practical skills into employment opportunities abroad.

This push also places greater responsibility on the government to safeguard Kenyans recruited for overseas jobs from fraud, exploitation, and abuse. Kenya has faced concerns around overseas recruitment, including cases involving individuals promised employment in Russia and the Middle East. In June 2026, Mutua denied government involvement in recruiting Kenyans for fighting in Russia, stating that those who traveled through his program were received by Kenya's ambassador in Moscow and prepared for employment.

The High Court in June 2026 ordered the government to vet all local employment recruitment agencies to protect Kenyans seeking jobs in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia remains a significant destination for Kenyan migrant workers. In July, Kenya and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to regulate the recruitment of Kenyan domestic workers and protect the rights of both workers and employers.

The government acknowledges that expanding overseas employment must be accompanied by protection measures. In September, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs stated that the success of Kenya's international employment agenda should be measured by the number of Kenyans securing jobs abroad and the systems protecting their rights and welfare.

The government's task with Kazi Majuu is twofold: creating more legitimate jobs abroad while ensuring the safety, dignity, and rights of workers upon their arrival.