Kenyan youth in digital work call on Ruto to address rights of tech workers

A section of Kenyan youth groups under the banner- Project Ether, want President William Ruto to utilise his visit to the USA to address pertinent issues affecting youth employed by major American tech corporations.

With the crux of the discussions between President Ruto and USA’s President Joe Biden being trade, investment and technological innovation; areas that directly impact the lives of Kenyan youth engaged in the digital economy, the youth want Dr Ruto to address issues of exploitation and violation of human rights and workers’ rights in the digital workforce.

This is especially true for the thousands of Kenyan youth working for American tech giants like Facebook, Scale AI, Open AI and others via business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in Kenya.

Rather than just focusing on Kenyans getting any job, the youth want the president to utilise relationship to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Kenya and the USA to carve pathways for meaningful participation in economic matters.

On several occasions, the President has made promises to generate one million jobs annually for the next 10 years in his ambitious bid to bridge the widening gap between qualified talent and available employment opportunities through digital jobs. He has even made public endorsements to some of the companies that bring digital jobs to Kenya.

“While we are encouraged by your public commitments and declarations, including most recently on Labour Day, to ensure your administration prioritises IT training to drive our digital economy, we are deeply concerned that the Kenyan government may be unaware of the violations of human and workers’ rights by some of the US-based Big Tech companies and their local partners,” the youth said.

This, they said is the backdrop of a class action suit by content moderators against one of the tech companies and the local business outsourced by the tech giant in Kenya.

The latest report by Siasa Place, a youth-led NGO in Nairobi dubbed Taptengelei, Unemployment and Digital Jobs, Youth Perspectives on the Changing Nature of Work” published in April 2024, revealed how US companies and their local partners undermine local Kenyan labour laws including forbidding workers to unionise.

“We wish to inform you (President Ruto) that all these inhumane working conditions, discrimination, mental health issues, lack of social safety nets, unusual pay for equal work, as well as contracting malpractices, amount to modern-day slavery,” the youth groups said.

As such, they want President Ruto to engage Big Tech workers, including outsourced workers during any US-Kenya trade-related negotiations and ensure that the US-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) agreements include strong mechanisms to prevent union busting by US companies in Kenya.

“Kenya has high levels of educated unemployed and the tech boom has created much-needed new jobs here, particularly for young people, who are the majority of digital workers. We need these jobs but not jobs at any cost,” they said.

The youth also echoed the sentiments of Kenyan digital workers who spoke of the toll exacted by their work – a toll paid not only in terms of meagre wages but also in sacrifices of health and well-being.

In support of these youth, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga said it is hypocritical for the US companies to disregard Kenya’s sovereignty and not abide by its laws and regulations on workers’ rights.

“When US companies do not respect the sovereignty of the Kenyan people and our supreme law— the 2010 constitution—that demonstrates hypocrisy and double standards,” he said.

AM Live

AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.

BNX

Business Redefined

Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.

Comedies

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Entertainment

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Full Episodes

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Gumzo La Sato

Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.

Health Diary

Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.

Letter To My Younger Self

Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.

Mazao Talks

Mazao looks at agriculture and agribusiness

Nation Reports

Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.

One Health Lens Podcast

Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Speaking of GEN Z

Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.

Sport On

Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.

Tech-over

The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.

Thamani

Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.

The Politalk podcast

This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.

The Trend

A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.

The trend podcast

The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA

The Wicked Edition

The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience

Trending

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Twende

Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.

Unscripted

This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.

VIP Access

VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.

WADR

This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.

When death do us part

In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.

Your World

Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.