Labour and social protection cabinet secretary Dr Alfred Mutua interacts with job seekers who converged at Kabete national polytechnic to be considered for the available 3000 vacancies in Qatar.
The Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Dr. Alfred Mutua, has emphasized that the future of Kenyan youth lies in high-quality technical training following the conclusion of a rigorous job interview process for employment opportunities in Qatar. The interviews, which started Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and Kabete National Polytechnic, attracted nearly 20,000 hopefuls for only 3,000 available positions.
Initially set to conclude today, the interviews have been extended to Monday to accommodate additional applicants for technical roles. This decision reflects the high demand and need for workers in fields such as plumbing, masonry, and electrical work—skills that Dr. Mutua highlighted as essential for Kenya's youth to secure future job prospects both locally and abroad.
During his visit to Kabete Polytechnic, Dr. Mutua interacted with job seekers and noted an alarmingly high failure rate in practical assessments, with nearly 80 percent of candidates unable to meet the requirements in technical areas. “Technical training is critical,” the CS emphasized. “Plumbers, masons, electricians—these are fields with significant demand, but only high-quality training will prepare our youth for success.”
With long queues and a predominantly practical nature of the assessments, Dr. Mutua urged applicants to remain patient, explaining that the process may take time. He also reminded candidates of the importance of adhering to interview protocols. “Merit is what matters,” he stated, citing an incident where a candidate was turned away due to non-compliance with grooming standards required for a waiter position.
He reiterated that the interviews are free from any charges, warning against any bribery attempts. “Zero corruption incidents have been reported, and some con men were arrested at KICC,” he noted. Selected candidates are required to cover costs for their medical tests and travel documents, though the Ministry will assist those lacking passports if hired.
Though only 3,000 positions are immediately available, Dr. Mutua assured that an additional 5,000 jobs would be offered in coming weeks, with ongoing efforts to secure more employment opportunities abroad. “Kenyans want a hand up, not a handout,” he stated. “We are committed to pushing for more job openings internationally and exploring ways to decentralize the hiring process to make it accessible across Kenya.”