Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya has advised Kenyan youth to focus on establishing themselves within the country instead of seeking opportunities abroad.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Friday, January 31, 2025, Salasya noted that working abroad does not guarantee success or financial security.
The vocal lawmaker pointed out that many successful individuals who have built stable lives owning homes and running businesses have done so within Kenya. In contrast, he noted that some people spend years working abroad yet struggle to accumulate tangible achievements.
Salasya stressed the need for young people to invest their energy and skills in developing Kenya, arguing that true success comes from contributing to one’s own country. He believes that focusing on local opportunities can lead to economic empowerment and community development.
“Hakuna kazi ya nje inasaidia. Those people who are established, have houses upcountry, and have businesses are here in Kenya. But you get someone who is working abroad for three years and has nothing to show for it. It’s good to work in your own country, and this idea of exporting youths and women to go outside without creating our empire is useless,” he noted.
The MP also challenged presidential candidates to address key issues such as industrialization and manufacturing, which he sees as critical for creating job opportunities.
“That is why I am saying presidential candidates should tell us what they are going to do for us; they should be addressing industrialization and manufacturing so the youth can get employment here in their own country,” he added.
Salasya on industrialization
Salasya’s remarks come just days after he announced his intention to vie for the presidency in 2027 if current candidates fail to prioritize industrialization and manufacturing in their agendas. He believes that tackling the challenges faced by these sectors will not only reduce the high unemployment rate in Kenya but also stabilize the country’s economy.
“If the presidential candidates will not address manufacturing and industrialisation in Kenya, I will then be vying for the presidency come 2027. We cannot continue exporting our youths. It is unacceptable. Going forward, because we the youths do not want stories, we want a clear platform,” he declared.
The legislator drew comparisons between the current government and the late retired President Daniel Arap Moi’s regime, highlighting Moi’s focus on the manufacturing sector as a key factor behind Kenya’s economic stability during his tenure.
“Despite all the weaknesses Moi had, one of the greatest things we shall remember is that he used to preach peace. Also, there was a lot of manufacturing during the Moi era, and one of the key areas that he focused on was manufacturing. Manufacturing was the key agenda in the leadership of Moi, and that is why the shilling was very strong during that time of Moi,” Salasya noted.
Salasya also revealed that he has been consulting senior citizens and leaders familiar with manufacturing and industrialization to understand how Moi successfully managed the sector.
“I have been engaging some of the elder people and elder leaders who have been there for some time and understand the concept. We used to have so many manufacturers and companies. Kenya could produce and export, and that was the best moment. That is the moment we are lacking at this time, and for us to look at the problem affecting Gen Z, we cannot be looking to export our youths to go and work (abroad). We can create our job opportunities here in Kenya,” he added.
