CS Mutua defends credibility of foreign job placements

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has reaffirmed his commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young Kenyans in a robust push to address the country's high youth unemployment rate.

During a press briefing at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on Friday, Mutua lauded the international job placement program as a game-changing initiative that is gradually restoring hope to thousands of Kenyan youths.

The CS disclosed that since a major recruitment drive in October last year, the Ministry has processed close to 1,000 job offers from a pool of 3,000 qualified candidates, an achievement made possible through strategic bilateral agreements with various foreign governments.

“We have flagged off over 300 people with the Deputy President, another 100 shortly after, and every week more are departing,” said the CS.

“This is not just employment, it’s empowerment for many; this is the first step toward transforming their lives and their families,” he said.

The CS acknowledged the frustrations of those still waiting to travel, attributing delays to standard visa processing timelines, employer preparedness, and in some cases, sector-specific requirements such as licensing exams for healthcare workers.

He stressed that the delays were not due to negligence by registered agencies.

“Receiving a job offer doesn’t mean you’re flying out the next day. Visa processing alone can take six to eight months, depending on the country,” Mutua explained.

“In cases where projects like hotel construction are still ongoing, employers wait until everything is ready before bringing in staff.”

He reassured applicants that they are free to withdraw and request refunds if they no longer wish to proceed.

“If any agency refuses to refund you, come to me directly. We will ensure justice is done, whether that means getting your money back or securing your placement.”

Mutua’s proactive approach to labour export has also included cracking down on rogue recruitment agencies.

While several have been deregistered and reported to the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), the CS admitted that more prosecutions are needed.

He urged affected individuals to file formal complaints despite fears of intimidation.

“The lack of prosecutions is frustrating, but we can’t move forward without victim cooperation. I’ve raised this in Cabinet. Justice will be served, but we must follow the law,” he said.

In response to reports of some applicants being charged more, Mutua was unequivocal. “There are no hidden fees; that amount covers medicals, double x-rays, visa processing, everything. If someone asks for more, they are either lying to you or not part of the official system.”

“I sincerely thank Alfred Mutua for his visionary leadership because of his efforts, the dream of a better future is no longer just a hope, it is now within reach for me, and for thousands of other Kenyan youths,” said a beneficiary from the programme who sought anonymity.

As the latest group of hopefuls prepared to board their flights, their excitement was a visible testament to the program’s growing impact.

The CS reiterated that the program is a long-term solution, not a quick fix, stressing: “We’re building a sustainable bridge between Kenya’s talent and global labour demand. It takes time, but it’s working.”