The Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Dr. Alfred Mutua, has admitted to facing serious challenges in securing job opportunities for Kenyans abroad due to their perceived activism and confrontational nature.
Speaking to the media on Friday during a recruitment exercise at the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) in Kisumu, Mutua revealed that foreign employers are growing increasingly hesitant to hire Kenyans.
“Every country I visit—whether in the Middle East, Europe, or Asia—says Kenyans need special training before they travel. They describe Kenyans as activists, arrogant, and confrontational,” Mutua stated. “For example, I visited a country that listed the number of foreign workers: Philippines—1 million, India—1.2 million, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Among them, the only people who have caused strikes are Kenyans. They asked me, ‘Why do Kenyans always think about violence, agitation, and demonstrations first?’”
Mutua cited a recent incident where Kenyan workers staged protests over job delays despite being informed that an employer needed more time to complete the construction of a hotel. He urged job seekers to exercise patience, warning that unruly behavior could lead to bans on Kenyans seeking employment abroad.
To address this issue, the government is introducing a behavioral training program for Kenyans before they travel. “We are now going to include a program to teach Kenyans to ‘chill’ before they go abroad,” he said.
Job Opportunities and Recruitment Fees
Mutua assured Kenyans that there are abundant job opportunities in foreign markets for both skilled and unskilled workers.
“There are lots of jobs—housemaids, cleaners, accountants, nurses, and skilled labor like plumbers. Everything is provided, including food and accommodation,” he said. “The reality is, there are people but no jobs in some areas, while other countries have jobs but no people.”
He also addressed the suspension of the national recruitment program, citing the infiltration of cartels that exploited job seekers. “Some people were charged exorbitant fees—up to 600,000 Ksh—but were never connected to jobs. That’s why we paused the program to ensure fairness and transparency,” Mutua explained. He assured Kenyans that a new, more accountable recruitment initiative will be launched soon.
He clarified that legitimate recruitment companies charge between 5,000 and 50,000 Ksh for processing, with some cases requiring 15,000 Ksh for medical tests. “Those asking for 600,000 Ksh or more are fraudsters. Don’t let the fee stop you—if you die today, people will contribute more than that for your funeral,” he remarked.
Fast-Tracked Passport Processing
Mutua also guaranteed that obtaining a passport would not be an obstacle for those seeking employment abroad.
“The order was issued by President Ruto. Just go to Kisumu Huduma Centre, do your biometrics and photo, and the following day, you will have your passport,” he assured.
The Kisumu recruitment exercise, which started on Friday, February 7, 2025, will continue through Saturday, February 8, 2025, at NITA in Kisumu. The program has attracted thousands of youths from different counties, including Kericho, Nandi, Vihiga, and Kisumu. The next recruitment exercise is set for Kisii County.
Mutua reiterated that he will continue moving across the country to ensure Kenyan youth secure jobs abroad.
His message was clear: while the government is working tirelessly to connect Kenyans with overseas employment, job seekers must adjust their attitudes to maintain a good reputation and sustain future opportunities.
