Government temporarily stops recruitment drive for job seekers abroad

The government has temporarily halted the ongoing recruitment for overseas job opportunities to allow for the swift processing of applicants already selected.

Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua explained that the pause was necessary to assess the progress of the initiative and to ensure alignment with the needs of both the recruiting agencies and job seekers.

He also emphasised the importance of keeping key government bodies, such as the National Assembly, informed about the emerging trends in the programme.

Mutua stated that the recruitment exercise, which has already been carried out in six counties, has seen an overwhelming response from job seekers.

The initiative, which aims to connect skilled Kenyans with job opportunities abroad, has drawn large crowds, particularly young people seeking employment in Gulf countries.

“Given the high turnout, there is a need to pause the process temporarily to ensure that the recruiting agencies, who have received over 5,900 applications, can effectively process all the applications,” Mutua said.

He was speaking on Wednesday after observing the recruitment exercise at the Nyandarua National Polytechnic. The CS announced that the process will resume after December 12, 2024.

He was accompanied by Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime, who stressed the importance of technical skills in meeting the demand for workers abroad.

Mwadime pointed out that many of the most sought-after candidates are graduates of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

Despite the enthusiasm, some job seekers raised concerns about the high agency fees required to process visas and passports, which they claim are unaffordable.

However, Mutua urged successful applicants to seek financial support from their families and friends, reassuring them that the lucrative nature of the job opportunities would enable them to repay the costs.

Since the launch of the national recruitment drive just ten days ago, the government says 5,931 Kenyans have secured jobs abroad. The counties involved in the current phase include Machakos (752 applicants), Makueni (410), Kitui (901), Nakuru (2,516), Baringo (640), and Nyandarua (925).

Mutua hailed the initiative’s success, calling it a testament to the government’s commitment to addressing local unemployment challenges and boosting remittances to the country.

“The overwhelming response and success of this exercise demonstrate the commitment of our government to empower Kenyans through labour migration,” Mutua said.

He encouraged young people to take up technical training, noting that many employers abroad are specifically seeking workers with these skills.

The recruitment process will also pause in light of the upcoming Jamhuri Day celebrations, which will feature a theme centred on labour migration, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.

Mutua noted that the break will also allow time for the processing of passports, certificates of good conduct, and other necessary paperwork for successful applicants.

He assured that all successful applicants will be contacted by Wednesday next week, and a revised schedule for the exercise will be issued following Jamhuri Day.

The programme, which currently spans six counties, is set to expand to all 47 counties after the celebrations.

The government said it remains optimistic about the long-term impact of the initiative in tackling unemployment and strengthening Kenya’s position in the global labour market.