President William Ruto has announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia that will see 2,500 Kenyans get employment in the Gulf state.
Speaking on Friday, Ruto said,
“I am traveling all over to get jobs. Kenyans are known to be hardworking. When I went to West Africa and Djibouti, I found Kenyans in charge as hotel managers because Kenya is known for prowess in hospitality.”
The president continued to say that ‘yesterday, Kenya and Saudi Arabia agreed to have nurses and other skilled professionals work in Saudi Arabia.
He stated,
“Earlier on, Kenya has been exporting domestic workers to Saudi Arabia. Now, we can also export skilled labor to the country. Saudi Arabia has given us 2,500 positions this week alone and the pay is good, around Ksh 200,000”
Ruto continued to say that the ministry of labor will be in charge of the recruitment process to Saudi Arabia, adding that his ‘intention is to connect Kenyans with opportunities within the country and globally’.
Gov’t trips and deals
President Ruto has made numerous trips to various countries around the world since he got into office. He has traveled to both African and developed countries, making deals and partnerships with nations and entities like the NBA that saw the renowned organization set up offices in Westlands, Nairobi.
Ruto was recently in India on a two-day visit where he made several deals to enhance trade, investment, education, digital economy, healthcare, research, and agriculture in the country.
Additionally, the ministry of labour announced a deal with the Managing Director of Guri Avocado Rami Cohen to export 1,500 casual laborers to Israel despite the ongoing war with Hamas and workers fleeing Israel.
The ministry said there is a guaranteed net income of 1,500 USD per month, on 3 years renewable contracts. The amount translates to around Ksh 230,000.
Kenyans and political leaders have criticized the president for barely being in the country, saying his trips are costing taxpayers huge amounts of money.
Ruto responded to his critics saying, ‘where were you expecting me to get jobs’? He defended his frequent trips outside the country, arguing he is doing so to create opportunities for Kenyans.
Kenyans wait to see if the deals being made left, right, and centre will bear fruit.
Deputy President Gachagua on employment
This comes as Deputy President Gachagua urges contractors of the Riruta-Ngong Commuter Rail line to employ locals in construction jobs.
He said,
“I want to ask the Chinese contractors to make sure they employ Kenyans in this project. Chinese employees should be only three, the rest to be Kenyans.”
Gachagua was speaking during the commissioning of the 12.5km Riruta-Ngong railway line construction, where President Ruto was in attendance. The line will run through Riruta, Karen, Bulbul, and Ngong’ stations.
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