Report: Only 3 Counties Benefit From Overseas Jobs

National Employment Authority (NEA), Edith Okoki

Only three of Kenya’s 47 counties—Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui—have benefited from overseas job placements, a new report presented to Parliament has revealed.

The report was tabled before the National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers, chaired by MP Lydia Haika.

Legislators raised concerns about regional imbalance and lack of transparency in the recruitment of Kenyans for foreign jobs.

Director General of the National Employment Authority (NEA), Edith Okoki, who appeared before the committee, said her office was not involved in selecting candidates for the overseas placements.

“The Authority is unable to explain the criteria used for selecting candidates who travelled abroad, as we did not participate in the recruitment,” Okoki told the committee.

Lawmakers were dissatisfied with the explanation and resolved to summon Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua to shed more light on the process.

The committee also sought clarification on the status of applicants who used NEA’s online platform in hopes of securing employment. Okoki confirmed that none of those who got jobs abroad had applied through the online system.

In response, Committee Chair Lydia Haika urged NEA to review its recruitment strategy.

“There’s no need to mobilize an entire county when only ten slots are available. If opportunities are limited, say so clearly,” she said.

Mutua has been championing the program “Kazi Majuu”.

Several youths have benefited from the initiative, mostly landing semi-skilled jobs in the Middle East.