Despite Kenya’s sustained economic expansion, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has issued a warning that five million Kenyans remain unemployed, indicating that the growth has not been able to sustain jobs.
Atwoli highlighted that, although businesses thrive and infrastructure projects increase, five million Kenyans remain unemployed, with the majority of workers trapped in the informal sector, facing low wages and employment instability.
The COTU head addressed the Plenary Session of the ongoing 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.
The SG warned that this path of economic growth without job creation risks exacerbating inequality, generating dissatisfaction, and destabilizing cohesion.
According to Atwoli, one of the most serious challenges is Kenya’s rising informal labor, which makes up more than 80% of the working population.
Instead of securing steady, well-paying positions, many Kenyans are driven into low-wage occupations, street vending, or physical labor with no benefits such as health insurance, pensions, or job security.
Atwoli has blamed this condition for mass labour migration, which is notably evident in Kenya, where young people are traveling to Gulf nations in search of better chances.
“This is what has fuelled the rise in labour migration mobility of our youth to countries in the Gulf, Europe, and North America, often under poorly governed migration regimes,” Atwoli said.
However, complaints of labor abuse, wage theft, and terrible working conditions have escalated, increasing concerns about the safety of Kenyan workers abroad.
Atwoli emphasised the need for stronger governance in labour migration, arguing that many Kenyans enter foreign job markets under poorly regulated agreements that fail to safeguard their rights.
He encouraged politicians to strengthen supervision systems to prevent exploitation and guarantee that Kenyan workers are treated fairly on a global scale.
According to a recent analysis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that Kenya’s GDP will reach $132 billion (Ksh17 trillion) in 2025, surpassing Ethiopia’s $117 billion.
This will allow Kenya to overtake Ethiopia as East Africa’s largest economy.As a result, one of President William Ruto’s primary campaign promises was to provide more job opportunities for Kenyans.
So far, the president claims that the Kenya Kwanza government has created nearly 200,000 jobs through the cheap housing program and another 110,000 jobs through the Kazi Mtaani initiative.
Unfortunately, despite its gains, Kenya continues to struggle in the job market.
