MLSSS Sessional Paper No 4 of 2013 on Employment Policy and Strategy for Kenya

Kenya aspires to become a globally competitive country offering high quality of life to all her citizens by the year 2030. Indeed, the social, economic and political pillars of the Kenya Vision 2030 are anchored on existence of a skilful, productive, competitive and adaptive human resource base. Further, the Constitution advocate for decent work, whereby freely chosen productive employment is promoted simultaneously with fundamental rights at work, adequate income from work, representation and the security of social protection.

Employment Policy is an invaluable tool in facilitating the creation of decent, productive and sustainable employment opportunities, stimulating economic growth and socio-economic development. This is consistent with the conviction that promotion of adequate, productive and sustainable employment opportunities can best be achieved on the basis of an integrated policy agenda that brings together the goals of rights at work, employment, social protection and social dialogue in a coherent, development-oriented and gender-equitable manner.

This Policy is anchored on the understanding that Kenya has to achieve her national goals and international commitments to realize meaningful progress in socio-economic development. This largely depends on the extent to which the country is able to create and nurture a competitive and adaptive human resource base to meet the requirements of a rapidly industrializing and globalizing economy. In this respect, this policy seeks to promote productivity, national competitiveness and economic growth; creation of decent employment opportunities; creation of green jobs; build a pool of skilled, adaptive, self-reliant and enterprising labour force; and pursue short, medium and long-term employment creation and poverty reduction strategies. It also aims at improving labour market efficiency, strengthening the labour administration system and social dialogue, and promoting public-private partnership in employment creation.

It is important to point out, however, that developing and implementing a policy are two different things. Achieving sustainable change envisioned in this policy will invariably depend on the extent to which it is implemented, monitored and evaluated. I, therefore, call for support and close collaboration between government, social partners, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders in ensuring effective implementation of this policy. At the onset, I wish to pledge the commitment of the government in ensuring full and effective implementation of the policy.

HON. SAMWEL KAZUNGU KAMBI
CABINET SECRETARY,
LABOUR, SOCIAL SECURITY AND SERVICES