PS Mwadime Urges Kenya to Harness Youth and Labour Migration for Economic Growth
Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, has called on Kenya to harness its youthful population and the benefits of labour migration to strengthen the economy, stressing the need for innovative strategies to safeguard remittances and transform returning workers into investors.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum on labour and migration, Mwadime says migration is a normal, everyday reality, and when well-managed, it can drive significant development gains.
He points to remittances from Kenyans working abroad, which reached USD 5 billion (about KSh 600 billion) last year, as evidence of migration’s growing economic impact.
“Remittances alone account for nearly 5% of our national budget. If properly safeguarded and utilized, even a small increase in remitted savings, say from 5% to 10%, could translate to over KSh 1.2 trillion, nearly a quarter of Kenya’s annual budget,” Mwadime says.
He notes, however, that mistrust remains a major barrier, as many Kenyans abroad hesitate to send more money home due to fears of mismanagement or misuse by relatives and intermediaries.
“Young women working in Saudi Arabia or men in the Gulf remit money only to find it misappropriated. This undermines confidence and discourages savings,” he explains.
READ:https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/govt-commits-to-enhancing-social-welfare-for-informal-sector-workers/
The PS emphasizes the importance of creating safe, transparent channels to guarantee the proper use of remittances. According to him, such measures would ensure that Kenyans working abroad return not just with experience but also as empowered investors.
“Our investors should not always be foreigners. It can be your own brother or sister returning with capital and skills to create jobs,” he emphasizes.
Mwadime underscores Kenya’s demographic advantage, highlighting its youthful population in contrast to ageing societies in Western Europe.
He argues that this presents both a resource base and a ready domestic market for products and services, if the country can bridge the gaps in technology and capital.
READ:https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/government-to-equip-youths-with-skills-for-job-the-market/
“The challenge is not a lack of resources. Africa has immense potential. The gaps lie in know-how and financing. That is why we must expose our young people to advanced technology and training abroad, so that they bring back knowledge and skills,” he says.
Drawing parallels with China’s development model, Mwadime notes how, decades ago, the Asian giant deliberately sent its youth to study in leading universities worldwide before using their expertise to power domestic growth.
“Kenya can adopt a similar model to send out young people for skills acquisition, then reintegrate them as drivers of our industrial and economic growth,” he suggests.
He further warns against overdependence on foreign capital, questioning whether Western investment has always delivered sustainable benefits for Africa. Instead, he encourages a shift towards self-reliance by empowering Kenyans abroad to be the next generation of investors and innovators.
“Ultimately, our strength lies in our people. Migration, when managed with foresight, is not a brain drain, it is a brain gain. Our youthful population, equipped with the right skills, can transform Kenya into a hub of growth,” Mwadime said.
