The Second Edition of the Kazi Majuu Football Tournament has brought together young people in the North Imenti Constituency, combining football with access to information on employment, skills development and safe labour migration.
The tournament, held at Kinoru Stadium, attracted 64 teams from across the constituency, with 24 teams taking part in the day’s matches.
All 64 participating teams received football kits and balls as part of the youth empowerment initiative.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, said sports provided an effective platform for engaging young people on employment opportunities abroad, while sensitising them on how to pursue such opportunities safely and legally.
Njogu said the tournament was part of the government’s three-pronged strategy to address youth unemployment through Kazi kwa Ground, Kazi kwa Mtandao and Kazi Majuu.
“We are taking this opportunity to play football with young people while having conversations around the government’s interventions on unemployment. We are sensitising them on how to access these opportunities and on safe labour mobility,” she said.
Government agencies, including Huduma Centre, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, were also present to provide information and services to the youth.
Njogu, however, cautioned young people seeking employment abroad against falling victim to fraudulent recruitment agents, who exploit job seekers desperate for overseas opportunities.
She urged those seeking jobs abroad to obtain valid passports, acquire relevant skills and work only with licensed recruitment agencies.
“Do not be desperate to the extent of trusting anyone who promises you a job abroad. Confirm the agency, understand the process and ensure you have the necessary documents before travelling,” she said.
The PS said genuine recruitment agencies should be transparent about the recruitment process and warned job seekers against individuals demanding bribes or using intimidation to secure overseas employment.
She added that the government was strengthening mechanisms to protect Kenyans working abroad and intervene where citizens faced exploitation or other vulnerabilities.
PS cited the recent repatriation of a Kenyan child, ‘Precious’, and said the government had facilitated the return of eight children who had been left abroad over the past three years.
She said initiatives such as Kazi Majuu were designed to bring government services and employment information closer to young people, while helping them identify legitimate opportunities and avoid exploitation.
By Dickson Mwiti
