Kenyan government sends vocational graduates to work in Dubai

The Kenyan government sent 27 graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for employment.

These workers received training in technical fields such as construction, plumbing, and electrical installation. The move occurs as the State Department for TVET seeks to connect vocational skills with international labor markets. Dr. Esther Muoria, the Principal Secretary for TVET, stated that the government is shifting its focus toward securing jobs for students after they finish their studies.

She noted that the department aims to provide skills that meet the requirements of local projects, such as the Dangote Oil Refinery and affordable housing initiatives, as well as international demands. Muoria encouraged the graduates to act as ambassadors for Kenya and to bring back professional expertise to help the local economy after their contracts end. The Kazi Majuu programme manages these placements through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and the Diaspora Placement Agency.

This initiative connects Kenyan jobseekers with verified overseas roles while providing migration support to protect workers from fraudulent recruitment. The ministry says it received requests from foreign employers for 5,194 Kenyan workers, including interest from the United Kingdom for the agricultural sector.