Nairobi: The government has announced a suspension of the recruitment process for overseas job opportunities, a move directed by the Ministry of Labour. This decision aims to expedite the processing of already selected applicants, as stated by Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Dr. Alfred Mutua. The pause aims to evaluate the progress of the recruitment efforts and to align with both recruiting agencies’ requirements and job seekers’ needs.
According to Kenya News Agency, the recruitment exercise, which has been conducted across six counties, saw an overwhelming turnout from interested job seekers. Dr. Mutua emphasized the necessity of keeping the National Assembly and other key government officials informed about emerging trends to support the National Government’s initiative in providing access to overseas opportunities for job seekers.
During an oversight visit to the Nyandarua National Polytechnic, Dr. Mutua announced that recruitment would resume after December 12th, urging leaders to
support the initiative. He was accompanied by Principal Secretary Mr. Shadrack Mwandime, who noted that the high volume of applications-over 5,900-prompted the temporary halt to prevent recruiting agencies from being overwhelmed.
The recruitment drive has attracted a large number of young job seekers aiming for employment in Gulf countries. However, some job seekers have expressed concerns about the high agency fees required for visa and passport processing, which they find unaffordable. Dr. Mutua advised successful applicants to seek financial support for these fees from family and friends, reassuring them that the lucrative overseas job payments would enable them to repay these loans promptly.
Principal Secretary Mwandime highlighted the pivotal role of TVET institutions in equipping job seekers with essential skills, noting that technical skills from Kenyan TVETs are highly sought after in the overseas workforce.
