The government on Monday launched an ambitious national job recruitment programme aimed at creating overseas employment opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled Kenyans.
Labour and Social Protection CS Dr Alfred Mutua said the programme will officially start on Wednesday, November 20, in Machakos county at the Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind.
He spoke when he held an interactive meeting with local recruitment agents working in partnership with the government, where he revealed that phase one of the programme will offer 20,000 job opportunities abroad.
Phase I recruitment will run from November 20, 2024, to February 20, 2025.
“I’m calling on all eligible Kenyans to turn up for this recruitment exercise. This programme has the potential to change lives and significantly improve our economic standing as a country,” Mutua said.
He said at least 20 counties will be targeted for recruitment before the end of the year, the aim being transforming lives and securing a brighter future for the country.
“To ensure a smooth application process, I urge all applicants to secure proper documentation. This includes applying for certificates of good conduct and passports through the E-Citizen platform,” he said.
Mutua said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Immigration Department will be on sight at the recruitment centres to facilitate the acquisition of the documents to ensure compliance with international requirement standards.
The new development builds on the Kenya Kwanza government’s commitment to capitalize on labour demand abroad to secure job opportunities for jobless Kenyans and boost the country’s economic status through Diaspora remittances.
Latest data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), published on Friday, November 15, indicated that Kenyans living abroad sent home Sh56.7 billion ($437.2 million) in October this year, 22.9 per cent increase compared to the same period last year when the foreign remittance stood at Sh46 billion ($355.6 million).
Cumulatively, the regulator said inflows for the 12 months to October 2024, increased by 15.3 per cent to Sh623 billion ($4.8 billion) compared to Sh532 billion ($4.1 billion) in the same period last year.
CBK said the remittance inflows boosted the country’s current account and stabilised her foreign exchange market.
Mutua said official statistics show that over three million Kenyans are currently working abroad, indicating that labour migration remains a vital pillar of the Kenyan economy.
“This programme is part of our larger vision to place at least one million Kenyans in overseas jobs annually, boosting Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings and empowering our citizens,” the CS said.
Mutua said the government is seized of concerns from Kenyans about the mistreatment of some Kenyans working abroad but assured that the incidents are isolated and are being handled individually.
“These cases should not discourage any eligible Kenyan from taking advantage of these opportunities. I want to emphasise that all Kenyans working overseas are protected by both international and local laws,” he said.
Meanwhile, CS Mutua pointed out that a number of Kenyans have ended up tarnishing the country’s reputation abroad by engaging in illegal activities, something he says runs the risk of also threatening opportunities for law-abiding citizens.
He called on Kenyans who would take up the new opportunities to act with integrity and uphold Kenya’s good standing on the global stage once they land in the host countries.
Jobs available
1. Electrical Engineers, 2. Civil
Engineers, 3. Nurses, 4. Teachers, 5. Paramedics, 6. Technicians, 7.
Electricians, 8. Vetenary Officers, 9. Mechanics, 10. Hostesses, 11. Male
Clerks, 12. Care Givers, 13. Hospitality, 14. Auto Mechanics, 15. Blue Colour
Jobs, 16. Chefs/Waiters/Bakers/Cooks, 17. Baristas, 18. Coffee Roasters, 19.
Cargo Handlers, 20. Plumbers, 21. Security, 22. Male Office Boys, 23. Male
Store Keepers, 24. Meat Processing.
25. Runners, 26. Packaging Workers, 27. Carwash Attendant, 28. Lock Smiths, 29. Welders, 30. Cleaners, 31. Drivers, 32. House Keepers, 33. Hairdressers, 34. Unit Managers, 35. Formen, 36. Livestock Formen, 37. Farm Specialists, 38. Supply Specialists, 39. Male Gardener/Landscaping, 40. Lead Operator, 41. Construction Workers, 42. Support Workers, 43. Service Crew, 44. Foresters, 45. Gardeners, 46. Safety Officers, 47. Fire Watchers, 48. Riggers, 49. General Labourers, 50. Beauticians, 51. House Maids ,52. Domestic Workers.
