Ruto Announces Travel Loan Scheme to Support Kenyans Seeking Jobs Abroad
Unemployed Kenyans who dream of overseas jobs but can’t afford travel costs will soon get help from the government.
President Ruto on Tuesday announced a new loan scheme similar to the Hustler Fund to support Kenyans looking for work abroad. The fund will allow job seekers to borrow for air tickets and pay back after they get employed.
Speaking during a meeting with Kenyans in Doha, Qatar on November 4, 2025, Ruto said the plan will be implemented through the National Youth Fund and Uwezo Fund as part of efforts to make labour migration safer and fairer.
“We are finding a way where Kenyans who can’t afford to pay for tickets can now get help through the National Youth Fund and we are taking it to Uwezo Fund so they can get the money, travel and pay later,” Ruto said.
He said the government wants to remove the financial barriers that are preventing many skilled and unskilled Kenyans from taking up overseas job offers.
At the same event, Ruto revealed that over 600 rogue recruitment agencies had been deregistered for exploiting job seekers. He said the agencies were collecting money from Kenyans and sending them abroad using tourist visas, exposing them to serious risks.
“We deregistered 600 rogue agencies because they were doing the wrong thing, picking money from Kenyans and sending them to countries using tourism visas,” he said.
To ensure transparency, Ruto said a new multi-agency team will oversee all overseas recruitment exercises. Verified job opportunities will now be posted on a government website.
“If the job is not on the website, then that job is fake,” he warned, urging Kenyans to apply only through authorized channels.
The president said the government has created a “green channel” for verified foreign jobs, encouraging qualified citizens to take advantage of the safer, regulated pathway.
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Ruto Announces Travel Loan Scheme to Support Kenyans Seeking Jobs Abroad