‘Kenyans Are Scrambling To Leave The Country’ Raila Slams Ruto Over Inability To Create Jobs
Raila Odinga, the leader of the One Kenya Coalition Party within the Azimio la Umoja, is holding the present government responsible for the rising instances of Kenyan emigration, attributing it to the current economic conditions.
Odinga, addressing an audience at the Catholic University during a lecture titled ‘A Vision for the Next 60 Years and Beyond’ on Friday, criticized President William Ruto’s administration for its lack of establishment of administrative measures aimed at ensuring employment opportunities for the people of Kenya.
Instead, Odinga expressed that the Kenya Kwanza government aimed to find employment opportunities overseas for Kenyans, having made the country inhospitable for its own citizens.
He remembered a time in Kenya when people were eager to work abroad, even for organizations like the United Nations, a prospect that is now highly sought after by everyone.
“Once upon a time, Kenyans were so proud and so confident of their nation that they refused to seek jobs abroad, including with the UN,” he said.
“Today, our people are scrambling to leave the country. A recent study by Pew Research showed that up to 54 percent of Kenyans would wish to relocate from the country.”
As per the Azimio Chief’s viewpoint, the government’s emphasis on guaranteeing agricultural and domestic employment for Kenyans overseas seemed contradictory, considering their responsibility to generate improved job opportunities within the country, especially since he believed the nation was heading in the wrong direction.
“Our children are struggling to get farm jobs in Israel, to be house helps in Saudi Arabia, and security personnel in Qatar. Government officers themselves, including a whole president, openly say that they are trying to get jobs abroad for Kenyans,” he said.
“Young people with the new skills and knowledge that we need are being exported because the government cannot create jobs. And the government sees it as an achievement.”
The leader from the opposing party proceeded to mention the concept of a second liberation for Kenya, alleging that the present government is supporting corruption and ethnic divisions—issues that, according to him, go against the principles that the country’s founding leaders battled against.
Odinga alleged that the administration’s appointments in the public service and the recent KCPE class of 2023 examination scandal were marked by entrenched vices.
“Today, we are way off the original dream. The nation is reeling under a heavy burden of corruption, officially sanctioned tribalism, the heavy burden of taxation, and a harsh and heartless leadership. We are not the confident nation we have been over the decades.,” he said.
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“Corruption is killing our future. Tribalism is stealing our potential. Under the current regime, these two vices are officially sanctioned. The country is divided between people with shares and those with no shares.”
He added: “From where I stand, and at my age, I know the country is taking a wrong turn when a 14-year-old child has to go to court to seek justice over KCPE marks. Kenya is failing her children.”
Odinga consequently exuded confidence that the country may return to the right path if the current leadership refocused on the founding vision of this country.
“It is my position that if we return to the founding vision of this country, Kenya can emerge in its 80th or 120th anniversary as one of Africa’s greatest democracies and a secure and flourishing homeland for her children,” he advised.
“We can emerge as a democratic state that is governed by law, respects human rights, and rejects corruption…the country will witness equitable sharing of the wealth that God put at our disposal.”
The remarks by Odinga follow the Ministry of Labour’s sentiments that the government would send about 1,500 farm workers to Israel on Ksh.230,000 monthly pay.
‘Kenyans Are Scrambling To Leave The Country’ Raila Slams Ruto Over Inability To Create Jobs
