In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Thousands of Kenyans rushed to apply for 8,000 job openings in the Middle East, with only a select few passing interviews focused on practical skills.
- Successful applicants will have airfare and accommodation covered by the employer, but will need to pay for their own passports.
Kenyans made a last-minute rush on Monday to submit their applications for coveted job opportunities in the Middle East as the four-day recruitment exercise came to a close.
Approximately 20,000 hopeful applicants crowded various interview stations across Nairobi, all competing for only 8,000 available positions.
The recruitment, organized by a Middle Eastern company, sought workers in hospitality, service, construction, and technical industries.
Among the hopefuls was Simon Karanja, an electrical engineer who has struggled to find stable work since graduating three years ago. Forced to diversify his skills, he described this as an unexpected advantage during his interview.
“There are no jobs, and we are struggling to make ends meet,” Simon said. “You’re not guaranteed to earn anything. Today, you get something; tomorrow, you don’t. But after all, God has helped us, and we have passed.”
Simon explained that he had expanded his skill set beyond electrical work, learning to lay tiles and perform other manual jobs.
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“You cannot just sit there without doing anything. You must be ready to do what you have not studied for,” he added.
Daniel Githuka, another applicant, was ecstatic after passing the interview. He had arrived at the station on Sunday night but was asked to return on Monday to complete the process. His patience paid off, securing him a spot among the selected candidates.
However, not all applicants were as fortunate. Many were turned away due to a lack of practical skills required for the positions.
Labor Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua announced that the successful candidates would have their airfare covered by the recruiting company.
Speaking to Citizen TV, Mutua explained that the unnamed Qatari company would handle the “big costs” of relocation, including air tickets and accommodation. “The Qatari people said they don’t want to cover 100% of the expenses.
From their experience, if a worker pays nothing, they have nothing to lose, and after three months, they might decide to leave,” he said.
Applicants will, however, need to cover their passport application fees independently.