The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has announced a major scaling-up of its flagship youth empowerment and overseas job placement programs, expanding implementation across Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions nationwide.
Speaking during a public sensitization drive in Buuri, Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu urged young people across Mount Kenya East and the wider country to capitalize on the government’s Kazi Majuu and Mkulima Majuu programs.
The initiatives are designed to bridge the gap between technical skill acquisition and international labor opportunities.
Initially rolled out in partnership with 24 pilot TVET institutions, the program is expanding to reach 70 technical colleges across Kenya’s counties.
The expansion aims to decentralize access to global employment opportunities, ensuring rural and urban youth alike can access structured pathways into international labor markets.
The initiative will expand direct recruitment pathways for specialized diaspora jobs, with recruitment conducted within accredited TVET institutions to ensure candidates have verifiable and market-ready qualifications.
The specialized Mkulima Majuu track, which focuses on modern agriculture, commercial farming and technical skills, has also emerged as one of the initiative’s most successful branches.
Official application portals are expected to open next week, with nationwide candidate interviews scheduled to begin in October 2026. PS Njogu further emphasized that all recruitment will be conducted through licensed Private Recruitment Agencies (PRAs) verified by the National Employment Authority (NEA) to protect applicants from fraudulent schemes.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Breakdown
To ensure transparency and prevent exploitation by fake recruitment agencies, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs has streamlined the application workflow through a digital-first approach:
- Account Registration: Access the official State Department for Diaspora Affairs portal (platform.diaspora.go.ke) or log in via eCitizen. Fill out your personal profile using your valid National ID or Passport number.\
- Skill Profile & Document Upload: Select your educational background and technical training details from an accredited TVET center. Upload certified TVET certificates, relevant transcripts, and valid police clearance (Certificate of Good Conduct).
- Job Matching & Selection: Browse available bilateral job postings under the Kazi Majuu or Mkulima Majuu tabs matching your trade (e.g., commercial agriculture, machinery operation, electrical work, plumbing, or automotive repair).
- Institutional Vetting & On-Site Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in practical skills assessments and interviews conducted at designated regional TVET hub centers starting October 2026.
- Pre-Departure Orientation & Placement: Successful applicants will undergo mandatory pre-departure training, labor rights awareness, and contract signing through NEA-verified recruitment partners before deployment.
The expansion forms part of the government’s broader economic strategy targeting youth unemployment through three main pillars: Kazi Kwa Ground (local infrastructure and housing projects), Kazi Kwa Mtandao (digital economy and remote work), and Kazi Majuu (diaspora placement).
“We are encouraging young people to secure both a skill and a passport. TVET institutions are built specifically to produce the market-driven, practical expertise that global employers are actively seeking.” — Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs
Interested candidates are advised to verify participating TVET centers and licensed recruitment agency listings on the official State Department for Diaspora Affairs portal ahead of the upcoming application window.
