Government Suspends Recruitment Drive for Overseas Jobs

 In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• The government has paused international job recruitment to process 5,900 applications and align with recruitment agency needs, set to resume after December 12.

• Labour CS Alfred Mutua urged applicants to raise agency fees through family support, while PS Mwadime emphasized TVET training for global job market demand.

Labour CS Alfred Mutua addresses job seekers during a recruitment drive at the Baringo National Polytechnic on November 26, 2024

The government has temporarily halted the ongoing recruitment of job seekers for opportunities abroad, previously overseen by the Ministry of Labour. 

The decision, according to Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua, aims to fast-track the processing of applications already received while aligning the exercise with the needs of recruiting agencies and job seekers.

Dr. Mutua explained that the pause was necessary to take stock of the progress made so far and to streamline the initiative. 

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The recruitment drive, which has been conducted in six counties, has seen an overwhelming turnout of interested applicants. 

The CS emphasized the importance of updating key stakeholders, including the National Assembly and other government officials, on emerging trends to enhance support for the program.

Speaking at Nyandarua National Polytechnic after supervising the recruitment exercise, Dr. Mutua announced that the process would resume after December 12. 

He noted that the pause would allow time to process the over 5,900 applications already received, ensuring that recruitment agencies are not overwhelmed. 

The Labour CS was accompanied by Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime during the event.

The recruitment initiative has drawn significant interest from young job seekers, particularly for positions in Gulf countries. 

However, many applicants have expressed concerns about the high agency fees required for visa and passport processing, which they find unaffordable. 

In response, Dr. Mutua encouraged successful applicants to seek financial support from family and friends, assuring them that the lucrative pay from these jobs would enable them to repay their supporters promptly.

PS Mwadime highlighted the critical role of TVET institutions in preparing job seekers with the technical skills in high demand abroad. 

He underscored the importance of equipping job seekers with expertise from Kenyan TVETs to meet the specific needs of international employers.