Kenya’s Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has revealed that approximately 5,000 Kenyan citizens find themselves stranded without employment or financial resources in Qatar.
During a recent appearance on Citizen TV, Mutua attributed this crisis to fraudulent recruitment agencies that had enticed Kenyans with false promises of profitable employment opportunities abroad. The majority of these individuals traveled to Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha, and subsequently failed to return home after the tournament concluded. According to Mutua, these stranded citizens are now dependent on daily assistance from the International Organization for Migration for their basic needs.
The recruitment process typically involved substantial financial commitments from job seekers, with agencies demanding between 200,000 and 250,000 Kenyan shillings for short-term employment opportunities lasting only three months. The financial burden of these recruitment fees has created a barrier for many Kenyans to return home. Having invested considerable sums to secure these positions, many individuals have chosen to remain in Qatar, hoping to find alternative employment opportunities. The situation has been particularly devastating for those who liquidated assets or incurred substantial debt to raise the required funds, with many having sold land, livestock, or borrowed money to pursue these supposed opportunities.
Mutua, who previously served in the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs before assuming his current role, has identified corruption as the root cause of this crisis. Since taking office, he has prioritized addressing this issue by implementing reforms to prevent exploitation by unscrupulous agencies. His ministry has emphasized that job interviews should be conducted without charge, with applicants only responsible for legitimate expenses such as medical examinations and administrative fees. In response to these challenges, the Kenyan government has implemented reforms in the recruitment process.
The new system eliminates unauthorized agents and prohibits the collection of upfront fees. Additionally, the government has secured a commitment from a Qatari company to provide 8,000 job opportunities across various sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, and construction, with 3,000 positions to be filled in the immediate future. The government’s long-term vision includes expanding employment opportunities in Qatar to accommodate 200,000 Kenyan professionals over the coming years. This initiative specifically targets skilled workers in fields such as nursing, engineering, and information technology, marking a shift away from the traditional focus on low-wage, unskilled labor exports to the Middle East.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection continues to demonstrate its commitment to protecting Kenyan citizens’ interests and ensuring accountability for those who have been victimized. Success in addressing these challenges relies on effective collaboration between government agencies, the public, and affected individuals.
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