Lawmakers have questioned the fairness of Kenya’s overseas jobs programme after a parliamentary report revealed that the majority of beneficiaries come from just three counties—Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui—despite the initiative being presented as a national effort.
The report, presented to the National Assembly’s Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers, raised concerns of discrimination and lack of transparency in the selection process. Legislators termed the findings “opaque” and accused the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of favouring certain regions.
The Director-General of the National Employment Authority (NEA), Edith Okoki, appeared before the committee—chaired by Kwale Woman Representative Lydia Haika—on Thursday to clarify the recruitment procedures. However, Okoki distanced her agency from the selection, stating that NEA had not been involved in the actual recruitment of candidates for international jobs.
“The Authority is unable to explain the criteria used for selecting candidates who travelled abroad, as we did not participate in the recruitment,” Okoki said.
She further revealed that none of the successful candidates had been selected through the NEA’s online application system, despite widespread use of the platform by job-seeking Kenyans.
The committee expressed its displeasure and called for a complete review of the recruitment strategy.
“There is no need to mobilise an entire county when only ten slots are available. If the opportunities are limited, say so clearly. You need to rethink your recruitment strategy,” said Chairperson Lydia Haika.
MPs resolved to summon Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua for a joint sitting to explain the ministry’s role in the overseas employment drive and NEA’s exclusion from the process.
The recruitment exercise is part of President William Ruto’s flagship employment initiative, known as Kazi Majuu, which seeks to place Kenyan workers in international job markets. While the president has hailed the programme as a success, claiming that over 400,000 Kenyans have secured employment abroad, criticism has mounted over perceived regional bias and lack of public accountability.
“Over the last two years, 400,000 Kenyans have found their way into jobs outside Kenya. Sometimes we say things, and people wonder. They are contributing to our development, and they are sending money to Kenya,” President Ruto said recently.
– By Anthony Mwangi
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