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Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has launched a nationwide recruitment programme aimed at securing jobs for Kenyans abroad in efforts to address rising unemployment.

The programme, unveiled at the Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind, seeks to provide employment opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workers across all 47 counties.

The programme builds on the success of a similar initiative for jobs in Qatar. Of 8,000 available positions, 3,247 Kenyans were selected in the first phase, with nearly 1,500 already receiving offer letters. Preparations for their departure are underway, while the remaining 5,000 positions will be filled in an upcoming round.

Key stakeholders
At that event, job seekers celebrated as they received preliminary offer letters for roles in countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, Dubai, Qatar, and Poland.

Recruitment will take place at county headquarters and technical and vocational education and training institutions.

The process will involve key stakeholders, including the National Employment Authority, the National Industrial Training Authority, and licensed recruitment agencies.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations will help applicants with fingerprinting and background checks, while immigration officers will facilitate preliminary passport applications. Mutua said.

The recruitment drive aims to secure 20,000 positions for Kenyans abroad, with plans for additional bilateral agreements to expand opportunities.