For months now, some young Kenyans who applied and were successfully shortlisted for jobs in Qatar have been tossed around from one office to another as they seek to know their fate after travel arrangements were delayed for unknown reasons.

Kenyans can recall the bravado with which President William Ruto announced the job offers in Qatar and Germany.

In recent years, Qatar has become a prominent destination for Kenyan workers seeking better employment opportunities abroad.

However, the process of securing these jobs is not without its challenges. The concerns being raised by scores of Kenyans who were shortlisted for the jobs last year, and have instead been kept waiting by both the travel agents and the government should be sorted out as a matter of national urgency.

All those who had been shortlisted spent at least Sh 55, 000 for documentation and other procedures to secure what they had considered a lifetime game changer geared to get them out of abject poverty. A number of the applicants get the money through loans, while others may have sold property to obtain the amount.

Anxiety and desperation is now gripping the successful applicants with little communication coming from the government and the travel agencies.

Reports indicate that some of the travel agencies are now demanding for more money from some of those who had been shortlisted before they could enable them travel.

The situation gets even murkier with revelations that some of those shortlisted have been asked by some Ministry officials to submit fresh applications for the jobs.

The government has a responsibility to ensure that all those shortlisted candidates are given every possible chance to realize their employment dreams. The situation is critical, not only for the individuals involved but also for the broader Kenyan economy and the nation’s relationship with Qatar as an economic partner.

The Kenyan government must recognize the potential economic benefits of ensuring that those shortlisted for jobs in Qatar and anywhere else, get the opportunity to work. These individuals contribute to their families’ wellbeing and, in many cases, support entire communities by sending remittances home.

The Kenyan government must also take a more active role in monitoring and regulating recruitment agencies.