Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua
Kenya’s Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Alfred Mutua, has announced the commencement of a nationwide recruitment drive aimed at securing overseas jobs for Kenyan citizens.
The program, starting this Wednesday, will see interviews conducted across 19 counties in the first phase, beginning with Machakos County. The recruitment effort is expected to run for two months, targeting thousands of job seekers eager to explore employment opportunities abroad.
The recruitment drive aims to provide employment for at least 21,000 Kenyans in various countries, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United States, Germany, UK and several Middle Eastern nations.
Dr. Mutua emphasized that the program’s objective is to decentralize the recruitment process, making it accessible to job seekers at the county level. “We cannot have young people who are looking for work coming all the way to Nairobi. Instead, the government will facilitate interviews in each county to ensure a fair and equitable process”. Mutua stated
The initial phase will cover counties such as Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Nakuru, Baringo, and Turkana, Thataka Nithi, Marsabit, Nyandarua etc, with plans to extend to other regions early next year. By the end of December, the program aims to reach Isiolo County before pausing for the holiday season and resuming in January.
The recruitment initiative covers a wide range of job categories, catering to both skilled and unskilled workers. Dr. Mutua listed various roles in demand, including housekeepers, cleaners, drivers, nurses, teachers, chefs, construction workers, and paramedics. The opportunities span several industries, such as healthcare, education, hospitality, and construction.
“We are looking at jobs from over 10 countries, and the roles vary significantly,” said Dr. Mutua. “We have a demand for mechanics, barbers, tutors, security personnel, electricians, and even specialized roles like civil engineers and AC maintainers.”
Salaries for these overseas positions range from KSh 40,000 for entry-level jobs to as high as KSh 1 million for specialized roles, depending on qualifications and the country of employment. Dr. Mutua highlighted that while the interviews are free of charge, applicants may need to bear certain costs for processing travel documents and medical examinations. To address this, the government has engaged financial institutions to offer credit facilities, easing the burden on job seekers.
In his remarks, Dr. Mutua emphasized the government’s commitment to a transparent and corruption-free process. “This is not a job registration process; it is an interview and offer process,” he clarified. Successful candidates will receive initial job offers, which will enable them to start processing their documents, including passports and certificates of good conduct.
The government has partnered with local recruitment agencies registered with the National Employment Authority (NEA) to streamline the process. Additionally, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) will be present at the recruitment sites to conduct fingerprinting for certificates of good conduct, further enhancing the efficiency of the process.
The announcement comes amid concerns about the safety of Kenyan workers abroad, particularly following reports of exploitation in countries like Lebanon. When questioned about the risks of sending workers overseas, Dr. Mutua acknowledged the challenges but defended the initiative, citing the low percentage of Kenyans facing issues relative to the large diaspora population.
“We cannot say Kenyans should not travel overseas because of a few incidents,” Dr. Mutua stated. He assured the public that the government is committed to ensuring the safety of its citizens by working with countries that adhere to International Labour Organization (ILO) standards. The Cabinet Secretary also mentioned ongoing negotiations with countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to sign agreements protecting professional workers, including doctors and engineers.
Mutua expressed optimism about the potential economic benefits of the initiative. He revealed plans to facilitate overseas employment for up to a million Kenyans within the next year, contributing significantly to reducing the country’s unemployment rate. “My goal is to push half a million Kenyans into employment in the coming months”, he said noting that the remittances from these workers would help bolster Kenya’s economy.
The program also aligns with the government’s broader strategy of creating local job opportunities while addressing the immediate needs of a workforce eager for employment. “Not everyone will get a job, but many will,” Dr. Mutua remarked, emphasizing the importance of this initiative in offering new hope to the youth and unemployed across the nation.
As the recruitment drive kicks off this week, the government urges job seekers to prepare thoroughly, ensuring they meet the necessary documentation requirements to expedite the process. The full list of job categories and recruitment schedules will be available on Dr. Mutua’s official website.
Kenya’s overseas recruitment program marks a significant step in tackling the country’s high unemployment rate, offering a new avenue for economic growthand individual prosperity.