The nationwide recruitment drive for overseas jobs kicked off in the Rift Valley region on Monday, November 25, but allegations of extortion by recruitment agencies marred the exercise.
Speaking at the region's first recruitment centre in Nakuru, applicants told the press that some agents asked them to part with money to secure the slots.
"Some of the agents are asking for processing fees...they are asking for between Ksh150,000 and Ksh180,000. We do not have that kind of money so we do not know why we are here," said one of the applicants.
However, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua assured the applicants at the station that the exercise would be free and fair, further urging them to do their due diligence to determine the specifics of their jobs.
“The Qatar jobs will pay for tickets but will not pay for medical or visa. So it differs. Before you leave this place, get to know how much is required of you,” he told them.
“The agencies here are now working under my watch. Nobody will extort any Kenyan citizen for jobs when I am the Labour CS."
The nationwide recruitment drive is part of President William Ruto’s plan to curb unemployment by sending 20,000 Kenyans to practice in Qatar, Europe, Canada, and Australia.
The Nakuru recruitment sought to provide 1000 jobs for the residents in different sectors. Baringo is next in line with the recruitment drive set to take place on Tuesday, November 26.
In addition to the alleged extortion, the applicants also raised an issue with the types of jobs on offer, stating that some of them are not worth the hassle.
“Something like riding a bicycle or a motorbike is not something to go to Dubai to do. It is something that can be done in the country. Let the government be creative.
"Let the tax be used to create jobs for Kenyans here,” another applicant added.
3,247 applicants for Qatar jobs were successful in the first phase of the recruitment drive conducted in Nairobi a few weeks ago. Although the exercise is set to run across all 47 counties in Kenya, the first phase will be done in 31 counties.
