Government to Introduce New System to Monitor and Protect Kenyan Youth
The Kenyan government has unveiled plans to launch a new digital system aimed at tracking and supporting young Kenyans who are seeking job opportunities in foreign countries.
This move comes in response to increasing cases of fraud and deception by some recruitment agencies, which have left many youth vulnerable.
The new platform, known as the Labour Mobility Management Information System (LMMIS), is designed to provide better protection for Kenyan migrant workers, starting with those employed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
It will serve as a centralized tool for the government to monitor the status, documentation, and general welfare of Kenyans working overseas.
This decision was reached after a key meeting in Dubai that brought together senior officials including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) CEO Moriasia Rabu and Credit Manager Sam Njue.
They held discussions with Kenya’s Consul General in Dubai to explore ways of creating safer, better-structured labour migration systems for job-seeking youth.
The high-level forum included representatives from various State Departments such as Diaspora Affairs, Labour, and Youth Affairs.
Also present were officials from a local bank and several private recruitment firms. One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the decision to develop and implement the LMMIS.
According to the stakeholders, the new system will not only track Kenyan workers abroad but will also help organize and simplify paperwork processes. It is also expected to play a significant role in promoting the well-being of Kenyans working in foreign countries.
YEDF CEO Moriasia Rabu expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that LMMIS will significantly improve how labour migration data is managed.
He added that better data coordination would lead to more accountability across the migration chain, especially now when there are increasing issues in the way labour migration is being handled.
In addition to rolling out the new digital system, the stakeholders agreed on the need to enhance pre-departure orientation programs for youth. These sessions will equip young people with essential knowledge about their rights and responsibilities as migrant workers.
The programs will also cover topics like workplace expectations, health and safety precautions, and tips for adapting to life in a foreign country.
These efforts aim to reduce the chances of exploitation and help Kenyan youth have more positive work experiences abroad.
The team further emphasized the importance of building more partnerships with reliable human resource firms and trusted employers, particularly in the UAE.
Such partnerships will help ensure that job placements for Kenyan workers are done ethically, within legal frameworks, and in line with international labour laws and standards.
The rollout of LMMIS is expected to take place in stages, starting with the UAE as the pilot country. Once successfully implemented there, the system will be expanded to cover other countries that are popular destinations for Kenyan migrant workers.
This initiative follows recent remarks by Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, who revealed that the government is actively working to use the Youth Fund to support young people pursuing jobs abroad.
In May, 130 job seekers received financial support from the Youth Fund program—a development Mutua said was a result of ongoing discussions with the Senate.
The CS also mentioned that the government is finalizing another pilot project under the Uwezo Fund, aimed at helping at least 300 more Kenyans secure employment opportunities in foreign countries.
With the upcoming LMMIS and strengthened support systems, the government hopes to provide safer and more reliable pathways for Kenyan youth to find decent jobs abroad while protecting them from exploitation and fraud.
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