President William Ruto has sparked widespread discussion after stating that the Kenyan government is willing to pay travel tickets for citizens seeking jobs abroad, with the expectation that they will repay the money once employed. According to the President, the goal is to encourage Kenyans to work outside the country and send back dollars to help build the nation.
The remarks align with Ruto’s long-standing push for labour export as a key economic strategy. His administration has repeatedly emphasized overseas employment as a way to reduce unemployment at home while increasing foreign exchange inflows through remittances. By framing the ticket payment as an investment rather than a handout, the President presented the plan as a partnership between the state and its citizens.
Supporters of the idea argue that lack of travel funds has locked out many qualified Kenyans from opportunities abroad. To them, government-backed tickets could open doors for thousands of young people who are ready to work but financially constrained. If properly implemented, the plan could boost remittances, which already form a major pillar of Kenya’s economy.
However, the proposal has also attracted skepticism. Critics question how the repayment system would work and whether safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse or debt traps. Others argue that the focus should be on creating sustainable jobs within Kenya rather than exporting labour, warning that the policy could be seen as an admission of failure to fix local unemployment.
Still, the President’s statement reflects the government’s urgency in addressing joblessness and stabilizing the economy through foreign income. Whether the plan becomes a practical solution or remains a political talking point will depend on transparency, structure, and how well the interests of ordinary Kenyans are protected.
