By A Special Correspondent

The ambitious international jobs recruitment program, spearheaded by Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua kicked off successfully in Machakos today.

The program, which aims to recruit skilled and semi-skilled Kenyans for jobs abroad, was unveiled at the Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind, drawing massive interest from job seekers.

Following the launch, the initiative is set to move to Makueni tomorrow, Thursday, and Kitui on Friday as the nationwide drive gains momentum.

The program, which targets 20,000 job opportunities for Kenyans in countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Canada, Australia, Poland, and the UAE, is a response to rising unemployment. Speaking at the launch, Dr. Mutua underscored the importance of labor migration as a solution to unemployment, stating, “Our economy cannot absorb all those seeking gainful employment. This program provides a unique opportunity for Kenyans to secure meaningful jobs abroad.”

The program has already seen success in Qatar, where 3,247 Kenyans were recruited in the first phase of an ongoing initiative. Over 1,500 of these have received offer letters and are in the final stages of processing travel documentation, with a further 5,000 positions still to be filled by the same Qatari employer.

To ensure inclusivity and accessibility, recruitment activities will be conducted at county headquarters and TVET institutions, in collaboration with stakeholders such as the National Employment Authority (NEA), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), and licensed recruitment agencies. Applicants will also receive support from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and immigration officers for documentation requirements, including certificates of good conduct and passports.

Dr. Mutua encouraged job seekers to come prepared, advising them to bring their national ID cards, academic and professional credentials, and to apply for their certificates of good conduct via the eCitizen platform.

The recruitment team, including hundreds of licensed agencies, will traverse all 47 counties to interview and onboard candidates. This program aligns with President William Ruto’s vision of enhancing labor mobility and creating more employment opportunities for Kenyans globally.

“This initiative will not only create jobs but will also showcase Kenyan professionals as competitive and highly skilled in the global market,” Dr. Mutua remarked.

The Machakos launch witnessed a celebratory atmosphere as some job seekers received preliminary offer letters. TVET Principal Secretary Dr. Esther Muoria, local leaders, and hundreds of eager applicants were in attendance.

The next phase of the exercise in Makueni County is expected to attract even greater participation as the government continues its push to provide life-changing opportunities for Kenyans abroad.