Thousands of Kenyans eagerly seeking employment opportunities in Qatar have recently participated in recruitment interviews in Nairobi, aimed at filling 8,000 positions across various sectors, including hospitality, construction, and technical services.
The recruitment drive took place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and Kabete National Polytechnic, where hopeful candidates gathered to meet the requirements of the Qatari employers. Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua supervised the process, noting the impressive turnout and announcing that roles in the hospitality sector had already been filled.
Mutua provided updates via social media, emphasizing that nurses would be interviewed at KICC on the following day, while candidates for other positions would continue their interviews at Kabete Polytechnic. “We appreciate your patience and efforts to seize this opportunity,” he stated, expressing gratitude for the enthusiastic participation.
Importantly, the recruitment process is designed to be cost-free for candidates, with Qatari firms covering expenses related to medical exams, visa processing, and travel. Applicants are only required to provide personal documents such as medical certificates and passports.
Strengthening labor relations, the recent Qatar-Kenya Joint Labor Committee meeting focused on enhancing cooperation and ensuring that Kenyans are connected to job opportunities in Qatar. The meeting, co-chaired by Qatar’s Minister of Labour and Mutua, discussed strategies to meet Qatar’s labor market needs while showcasing the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. Currently, approximately 67,000 Kenyans work in Qatar, with projections suggesting this number could rise to over 200,000.
However, the minister also addressed concerns about rogue recruitment agents who have exploited unsuspecting job seekers, resulting in about 5,000 Kenyans currently living as refugees in Qatar. Many of these individuals were misled by agents who charged exorbitant fees for non-existent jobs. Mutua highlighted ongoing efforts to eliminate these fraudulent practices and ensure a transparent recruitment process.
This initiative is part of Kenya’s broader strategy to expand job opportunities abroad, particularly in light of rising unemployment rates domestically. In recent years, the Kenyan government has actively sought to export labor, including agreements to send workers to countries like Israel and Germany, thereby enhancing the potential for skilled labor exports in technology and finance sectors.
In summary, the recent recruitment efforts in Nairobi reflect a significant push towards addressing unemployment in Kenya while fostering stronger ties with Qatar. The ministry remains committed to ensuring fair employment practices and protecting Kenyans seeking work overseas.
