Ruto laments lack of praise from Kenyans, defends export of skilled labour
President William Ruto has voiced his frustration over what he perceives as a lack of appreciation from Kenyans, even as he affirmed his administration’s commitment to creating job opportunities for citizens both at home and abroad.
Speaking in Beijing on April 23, 2025, during a meeting with Kenyans living in China, Ruto light-heartedly remarked on how rare it is for Kenyans to offer praise.
“It is very rare to get compliments from Kenyans,” he said in response to glowing remarks from a Kenyan United Nations official based in Beijing who had commended the Kenyan embassy’s leadership in China.
“You are amazing, and thank you very much for saying what it is. If somebody does something good, it is better if it is said,” he added.
The Head of State, who is on a state visit to China, met with students, professionals, and businesspeople in Beijing, where he addressed concerns over visa challenges, job opportunities, and Kenya’s growing diaspora presence.
Defending export of skilled labour
One of the central themes of the discussion was the ongoing debate back home over the government’s promotion of international job opportunities for Kenyans.
Responding to domestic criticism that his administration is ‘exporting Kenyans’ instead of creating jobs locally, Ruto defended the move as part of a broader global labour strategy.
“I have a big problem with people who tell me that I am exporting Kenyans. We are in a global village, and we should explore opportunities everywhere,” Ruto stated, adding that Kenya’s well-trained workforce deserved a chance to compete globally.
He stressed that labour mobility is central to his government’s employment strategy and praised Kenyans abroad for contributing over Ksh672 billion in remittances last year—funds he said are crucial to the economy.
Kenya-China labour pact in the works
Ruto also revealed that Kenya is pursuing a bilateral labour agreement with China that would see Kenya designated as an English-speaking country for purposes of job eligibility.
The deal would expand employment opportunities for Kenyan teachers and professionals.
“In any case, Kenyans speak the best English in Africa,” Ruto said, “We will work on getting visa reciprocity and enabling Kenyans to access more work permits.”
He said such a designation would open doors for thousands of skilled Kenyans to work legally in sectors such as education, hospitality, and IT.
Investment in education
Underscoring the importance of a globally competitive workforce, Ruto noted that his administration had allocated 30% of the national budget to education, the highest in the region.
“Our human resource is the most critical asset that we have as a nation. That is why my good brother here, Karani, can confidently say that last year our diaspora contributed close to Ksh600 billion to the development of our country. That human capital is what defines Kenya,” he said.
