Presidential Advisor Karisa Nzai calls on Coast political leaders to sponsor youth for TVET maritime courses, as the government secures 120,000 jobs in the Netherlands and 1,000 seafaring roles in Norway.
A golden opportunity is knocking at the door for Kenya’s coastal youth—but without the right skills, they risk being left behind. Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs Karisa Nzai has issued a passionate call to political leaders from the Coast region to sponsor and support young people in enrolling for maritime and blue economy courses, ensuring they are ready to fill thousands of international jobs recently secured by the government.
Speaking during a community engagement forum in Mikindani, Jomvu Sub-County, over the weekend, Nzai emphasized that the blue economy sector holds the key to unlocking mass employment for the region’s youth, but only if they acquire the necessary technical skills through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
The Numbers: A Historic Opportunity
Nzai revealed that the government has already secured two major international partnerships that will transform the employment landscape for Kenyan youth:
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Netherlands Partnership: An agreement with the Government of the Netherlands aims to create jobs for more than 120,000 Kenyan youths. The first phase alone is expected to benefit 40,000 young people.
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Norwegian Partnership: A recently secured collaboration with Wilhelmsen Ship Management in Norway will provide 1,000 seafaring jobs for Kenyans.
“These opportunities present a major breakthrough for youths interested in careers within the maritime sector,” Nzai told journalists after the event.
The Challenge: A Skills Gap Threatens Success
Despite the abundance of opportunities, Nzai identified a critical bottleneck: a shortage of qualified candidates. Many youths currently lack the technical maritime skills required by international employers, meaning these life-changing jobs could go to other nations if Kenyans are not adequately prepared.
“We must invest in skills development so that our youth are adequately prepared to take advantage of the opportunities being created in the blue economy sector,” said Nzai.
He pledged to work closely with the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs to ensure more young people are assisted to enroll in maritime and blue economy training programmes.
A Call to Political Leaders
Nzai specifically urged political leaders from the Coast to step up and sponsor young people in their constituencies. He noted that the region is uniquely positioned to benefit from the blue economy, and leaders have a responsibility to ensure their constituents are not left behind.
A Warning Against Fraudsters
In a sobering warning, Nzai urged young people to use their digital devices responsibly by searching for employment opportunities through official government platforms—specifically the National Employment Authority portal—instead of falling victim to fraudsters advertising fake jobs abroad.
He cautioned that some individuals were attempting to exploit the recruitment process by selling non-existent overseas employment opportunities. Nzai assured the public that all government-backed recruitment exercises would be conducted transparently and fairly, with no fees required from applicants.
Political Support and Development Agenda
At the same time, Nzai called on residents of the Coast region to support President William Ruto’s administration, citing ongoing development projects and employment opportunities that have been secured for local youths.
According to Nzai, the employment agreements follow discussions held during the recent Ocean Conference in Mombasa, where expanding opportunities within the blue economy sector emerged as a key agenda item.
Looking Ahead
With the right training and support, thousands of coastal youths are well-positioned to secure meaningful employment in the growing global maritime industry. Nzai expressed optimism that the region is on the cusp of an economic transformation—but the time to act is now.
