Overseas jobs keep their shine amid hardship

By Luke Anami

Kenya’s high rate of unemployment is driving its citizens to seek alternatives in the labour market.

More people are taking flight abroad in search for livelihoods.

This is in spite of reports that some Kenyans are suffering at the hands of rogue employers, especially in Saudi Arabia.

But sometimes, the motivation is somewhat greater than simply securing a job — especially when gainfully employed Kenyans resign to try their luck across the borders.

Most people in this category are target workers and hope to achieve defined milestones by certain dates. They are known to choose overseas jobs – most of them far more removed from their jobs back home.

The positions they take promise bigger incomes and allow ample room for savings.

"A number of overseas jobs come with handsome rewards in comparison local jobs. Flexible working environment also means that people can dabble up in several jobs," Jacob Onkunya, an HR expert says.

This way, the travellers on this bandwagon hope to feather their nest before retirement. They are particularly responsible for the soaring remittances from abroad as they invest in real estate back home. This is the serious lot.

There are also those who head overseas, taking up far more inferior jobs, only to feed their wayward appetites and base lifestyles.

Hospitality industry has the highest number of employees working in hospitals, homes for the aged, and in hotels.

"Nurses from Africa are on high demand in the US because they perform a number of duties," he said.

"They also work in homes for the aged where they provide special care especially to the aged, which US citizens frown upon."

While on a recent visit to Brussels, The Standard met Njeri, a

Kenyan post graduate student, who also dabbles as a baby sitter for two families where she alternates every week.

But that had not dampened her spirits.

"Many local people with degrees in Arts are jobless. But they are better off than most Kenyans in a similar situation as they do have other opportunities," Njeri says.

But it is natural scientists including doctors, pharmacists, surgeons and that are having a feast abroad as overseas governments compete to grant them citizenship under special circumstances to enable them stay and work.

Except for researchers in specialised fields, arts-based jobholders have little room for manoeuvre.

"It is nearly impossible for a foreign arts graduate to find placement in their line of training," said Washington Oloo, Kenya’s Deputy Head of Mission to the European Headquarters, Brussels says.

"Despite the difficulties, however, there is always something to learn about living overseas," Oloo said.

"The environment gives one the opportunity to redefine their life and the way they want to live. There are little if any expectations about your personality, habits, preferences or anything else."

"Living overseas is a great time to improve yourself and raise your expectations about what you want from your life," he says, adding that the competitive environment overseas has made businessmen of several Kenyans now in Europe.