MPs summon CS Mutua after revelation that Kenyans from Machakos, Makueni dominate overseas jobs
The legislators have now demanded a full explanation from the Ministry of Labour and the National Employment Authority (NEA) on the criteria used in selecting candidates.
Details have emerged that out of the 47 counties, Kenyans from only Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui have so far benefited from overseas job placements, raising alarm among Members of Parliament who termed the process discriminatory and opaque.
The legislators have now demanded a full explanation from the Ministry of Labour and the National Employment Authority (NEA) on the criteria used in selecting candidates.
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Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers, NEA Director General Edith Okoki revealed that the Authority was not involved in the actual recruitment of candidates for international jobs, insisting that the process was handled entirely by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
“The Authority is unable to explain the criteria used for selecting candidates who travelled abroad, as we did not participate in the recruitment,” Okoki said on Thursday, while responding to questions from committee members.
The committee, chaired by Kwale Woman Representative Lydia Haika, expressed disappointment over the regional imbalance and lack of transparency in the process, saying many qualified applicants from other counties were left out despite widespread mobilisation.
Legislators demanded to know the fate of thousands of Kenyans who had submitted applications through NEA’s online portal. However, Okoki confirmed that none of the successful candidates were selected from the platform.
“There is no need to mobilise an entire county when only ten slots are available. If the opportunities are limited, say so clearly. You need to rethink your recruitment strategy,” Haika said.
In light of the revelations, the Committee resolved to summon Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua to provide a comprehensive explanation on the ministry’s recruitment approach, particularly regarding inclusivity, transparency and the involvement of NEA.
To address the gaps in the current system, the committee announced plans to hold a joint meeting with the Ministry of Labour and the National Employment Authority to agree on a more accountable and inclusive way forward.
Speaking on Thursday during the Third National Executive Retreat, President William Ruto revealed that over 400,000 Kenyans have secured employment opportunities abroad in the last two years, attributing the surge to his administration’s reforms aimed at cleaning up the labour migration sector and positioning Kenyans as a global workforce.
He said the government had dismantled a corrupt and chaotic system involving rogue agents and introduced a structured framework that now facilitates safe and accountable labour migration.
“Over the last two years, 400,000 Kenyans have found their way into jobs outside Kenya. Sometimes we say things, and people wonder. They are contributing to our development, and they are sending money to Kenya,” Ruto said.
To support more Kenyans eyeing opportunities abroad, he announced the allocation of Sh100 million to the Youth Fund in the supplementary budget. He noted that the funds will help applicants cover key costs such as passports and air tickets.
“We want to not only use it to drive our development, but we also want to make a global workforce out of this very important asset that we have,” he said.
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