Gakuya hits out at Ruto’s labour export policy amid rising unemployment
By Cy Muganda, July 11, 2025Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya has criticised President William Ruto’s plan to export skilled Kenyan workers abroad, arguing that it reflects the government’s failure to address unemployment at home.
Speaking during the burial of Boniface Kariuki in Kangema, Murang’a County on July 11, 2025, Gakuya faulted Ruto for prioritising foreign labour deals while millions of Kenyans, particularly the youth, struggle to find jobs locally.
“You say you have a plan. What other plan do you have? The plan cannot just be to keep telling Kenyans that you will export those who have skills,” Gakuya remarked.
Focus on job creation
The vocal MP accused the government of outsourcing its responsibility to create employment by offloading trained citizens to other countries instead of growing Kenya’s economy.
He called on the government to focus on domestic job creation rather than relying on overseas employment as a solution to unemployment.
“If you have a plan, give the youth jobs. The people you are exporting are the men and women who built this nation. Build Kenya so that Kenyans can get job opportunities. Stop singing to us every day about how you are sending our children abroad,” Gakuya stated.
Handling of protests
He also lashed out at Ruto over the government’s handling of recent anti-government protests, particularly the use of excessive force on demonstrators and the destruction of businesses during these events.
“We are telling you to stop completely—to stop shooting people and killing innocent children,” he stated.
Gakuya accused Ruto of using intimidation tactics that resemble terrorism to distract the public from the government’s failures.
“You have now changed, and you’re trying to use tactics that resemble terrorism. What exactly are you planning to do to these children?” he posed.
Calls for resignation
Gakuya called for Ruto’s resignation, accusing the administration of betraying the constitution and failing to fulfill its primary duty to protect citizens and their property.
“We ask William and his team to quit because they have failed to honour the constitution by protecting Kenyans and their property,” Gakuya stated.
He specifically criticised both Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for their statements about shooting protesters.
“If you and your CS, Murkomen, are the first to call for youths to be shot instead of listened to, then you have failed. The killings of innocent children should stop,” the MP declared.
Gakuya argued that a government that turns against its own people has effectively lost its mandate to govern.
When a government turns on its own people—even if it was elected—it has effectively fired itself,” Gakuya charged.