Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has reaffirmed his commitment to tackling Kenya’s high youth unemployment rate by championing an international job placement program that he described as transformative for thousands of Kenyan youths.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on Friday, Mutua highlighted the success of the program, which began with a recruitment drive in October last year. Since then, the Ministry has processed close to 1,000 job offers for a pool of 3,000 qualified candidates, facilitated by strategic bilateral agreements with various foreign governments.
“We’ve flagged off over 300 people with the Deputy President and another 100 shortly after. Every week more are departing,” Mutua said, emphasizing that the program was not just about securing employment, but about empowering individuals and their families.
While the program has brought hope to many, Mutua acknowledged the frustrations of those still waiting to travel, explaining that delays were often due to standard visa processing timelines and other sector-specific requirements, such as healthcare licensing exams. He reassured applicants that they could withdraw and request refunds if they no longer wished to proceed, offering his personal intervention if agencies failed to honor such requests.
Mutua also addressed concerns over rogue recruitment agencies, stating that several had been deregistered and reported to the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA). He emphasized the importance of filing formal complaints to ensure justice was served, despite challenges in prosecutions.
With the program gaining momentum, beneficiaries have expressed their gratitude, describing it as a life-changing opportunity. One anonymous beneficiary shared their excitement, thanking Mutua for making a better future possible.
Mutua’s vision for the program is clear: it is a long-term solution to bridging Kenya’s talent pool with global labor demand. “We’re building a sustainable bridge, and it’s working,” he concluded.
