A new phase in Kenya’s labour migration efforts has begun, as 50 Kenyan youths travelled to Russia last week for factory jobs in a move aimed at reducing rising youth unemployment across the country. The workers, who come from different counties, have secured employment at a food packing factory located just outside Moscow, Russia’s capital city.
This development is part of a broader government-backed plan to create more opportunities for young people through international job placements. The new workers are expected to earn a monthly salary of KSh115,000. In addition to the pay, the employer will provide free accommodation and meals throughout their stay in Russia.
The process of recruitment was handled by Yumna, a licensed recruitment agency, in partnership with the Uwezo Fund. The fund offered financial support to cover air tickets and placement fees through a loan programme. According to officials, the workers will start repaying the loan once they begin receiving their salaries.
Before the group departed, a farewell ceremony was held in Nairobi. During the event, government officials advised the workers to be disciplined with their earnings, urging them to save and invest back home to improve their personal lives and contribute to Kenya’s economy. Officials also expressed hope that the success of this batch would open more doors for similar opportunities for other jobless youths.
At the Moscow airport, the Kenyan workers will be received by officials from the Kenyan Embassy in Russia. Kenya’s Ambassador to Russia, Peter Mathuki, is expected to host them and help them settle in during their first weeks in the country.
Some of the workers who spoke to the press before departing shared emotional stories about how difficult it had been to secure jobs in Kenya. A few of them said they had been jobless for several years and saw this as a major life breakthrough. They also expressed appreciation for the chance to work in a new country and pledged to make the most of the opportunity.
Labour migration has increasingly become an important strategy for the Kenyan government to deal with unemployment, which continues to affect a large portion of the youth population. The government has been pursuing bilateral agreements with countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia to secure more jobs for its citizens.
Despite the excitement around the new programme, there are growing public concerns. Some Kenyans have raised questions about the transparency of such labour export deals. Others worry about the working conditions of migrants, their rights in foreign countries, and the methods used by recruitment agencies. These concerns have led to calls for better oversight and monitoring to ensure that Kenyans working abroad are treated fairly and according to international labour laws.
The deployment of workers to Russia marks a new addition to Kenya’s foreign labour strategy. Authorities have hinted that more Kenyan workers will soon be sent to other countries under similar programmes. They believe that, with proper planning and regulation, labour migration can significantly ease pressure on the local job market and improve the economic wellbeing of many families.
So far, the government has not released the full list of countries it is negotiating with, but officials say the focus remains on safe destinations where Kenyans can access decent work and live under humane conditions. As the programme expands, many young Kenyans are expected to apply, hoping to escape joblessness and build better lives abroad.
