There are reports and gory images and videos of Kenyans being mistreated abroad, especially in Middle East Countries. But with all these, many Kenyans still prefer to apply for jobs abroad. What motivates them to go and work in other countries?
No enough jobs in Kenya
Of course, there are not enough jobs in Kenya. Every year, universities and colleges pour out thousands of fresh graduates into the job market. But the rate at which new jobs are being created cannot match the rate at which new graduates enter the job market. The result is that many youths remain unemployed. This lack of enough jobs prompts many people to try their luck outside the country.
Better pay
Another main reason why Kenyans are opting to work in other countries is the fact that other countries offer better pay compared to local employers. A teacher who is employed in Kenya at a starting salary of Kshs 25,000 per month is likely to get a better offer while teaching abroad. A primary school teacher (he requested anonymity) working in Turalei (South Sudan) confided in me that he gets a monthly salary of 320 US Dollars (Kshs 32,000) per months plus other allowances amounting to Kshs 5,000 per month. Countries like Dubai offer much higher for the same nature of the job.
Exposure
Some Kenyans working abroad care much about the exposure they get than the salary. If the salary is also good, then it comes as an added advantage to them. Travelling is exposure in itself. The more countries you visit and new people you meet, the more exposed you become.
Savings
A person working abroad has better and greater chances to save than a person working in Kenya. Because his or her accommodation and meals are taken care of, he or she can actually save more. Also, a person working abroad is always stationed within the organization. He or she thus does not spend much on transport to and from work. In Kenya, the amount an employee spends on transport alone is too much. In short, a person working in Kenya has less chance to save.