Kenya’s Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has provided reassurance to young job seekers regarding international employment opportunities.
The CS notes that passport unavailability will not hinder their prospects of working abroad. During the inaugural launch of the National Job Recruitment Programme in Machakos County, Mutua articulated the government’s comprehensive approach to facilitating overseas employment for youth. The programme is strategically designed to assist 20,000 Kenyan youth in securing international employment, with an initial focus on 3,000 job seekers from Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties.
Each region has been allocated 1,000 potential positions. The recruitment exercise, conducted at the Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind, attracted over 3,000 prospective candidates by early afternoon. President William Ruto has specifically directed that individuals who secure overseas positions but lack passports will receive governmental assistance in obtaining the necessary documentation. Mutua encourages job seekers facing financial constraints to explore bank loan options to facilitate their travel and prevent missing critical employment opportunities.
He indicates that successful candidates should anticipate departure by December 25, 2024, following a comprehensive recruitment and preparation process. The recruitment methodology involves multiple systematic steps, including provisional employment documentation, fingerprinting through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, passport application facilitation, medical examinations, and academic document attestation. Mutua acknowledges the variability in employer support, noting that some companies would cover entire process costs while others might only provide air tickets.
Recognizing potential limitations among candidates, Mutua reassures those unsuccessful in the current phase that their details would be retained in the government’s database for future recruitment rounds. He specifically encourages individuals with technical skills like mechanics or plumbing to seek certification through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, particularly through Prior Learning Assessment mechanisms.
