New Labour CS Simon Chelugui has promised to ensure Kenyans get priority in any contracts entered by the government to boost job creation.
Chelugui on Thursday officially took over the helm of the ministry from Ukur Yatani who was moved to the National Treasury in changes announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday.
“I will be looking forward to continued consultations to steer this ministry to the next level,” Chelungui said.
The CS said he will explore job opportunities outside the country through memorandum of understandings with other countries.
Yatani had previously said Kenya will export expertise to other countries, especially the Middle East, in a bid to address rising unemployment.
“We are now streamlining labour migration by looking for opportunities for our workers to migrate to other countries where there are jobs, particularly in the Middle East,” Yattani said.
He said there is a need to look for jobs abroad as the Kenyan economy is not growing as fast as the number of graduates from universities.
“I am happy there was an initiative to explore opportunities for our people outside this country. As you are aware, we have been having challenges of employment in this country, and it will be our duty as a ministry to see how to promote policies that will create opportunities for our people,” Chelungui said on Thursday.
He promised to focus on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and use mediation when dealing with workers and their employers.
The CS has prioritised increase National Social Security Fund collections by reaching out to the informal sector.
“We want to move the number of those registered from the present 2.6 million to a target of 16 million. This will enhance the base to assure our retiring and elderly a more dignified retirement.”
Yattani asked his successor to ensure social protection programmes continue to ensure the beneficiaries especially those with disability and the elderly are taken care of with dignity.
“Make sure what is meant for the children gets to them. We have made reforms to ensure the money gets to the beneficiaries in a dignified manner through deposits in their bank accounts,” Yattani said.
edited by p.obuya
