Exporting Jobs or Missing the Point? CS Mutua Sparks Outrage with Qatar Job Ads.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has faced sharp backlash following his recent advertisement of job openings in Qatar. Promoting a Qatari company seeking skilled Kenyan workers, Mutua aimed to curb Kenya’s 12.7% unemployment rate by encouraging citizens to take roles abroad — much like his boss, President William Ruto, has promoted in past initiatives.
Posting the announcement on social media, Mutua detailed opportunities in two main sectors: hospitality and construction. Positions in hospitality ranged from nursing and hotel maintenance to stewarding and light vehicle driving. Construction roles included positions like electricians, masons, plumbers, and welders. The interviews are set to take place from Friday, October 25, to Sunday, October 27.
“Please ensure you’re familiar with your industry and job duties. Only candidates for the listed openings will be allowed entry,” Mutua advised. He further assured applicants of a free recruitment process: “No fee will be charged. Once hired, travel costs, including visa and air tickets, will be covered.”
However, his “Mbele iko sawa” tagline alongside a self-promotional image didn’t sit well with many Kenyans. Public frustration mounted as commenters questioned the government’s focus on labor exportation over local job creation.
“Why not create industries or a conducive business environment to encourage innovation and youth entrepreneurship locally?” one person asked. Another echoed this sentiment, commenting, “Is this the caliber of jobs a government ministry should be negotiating for Kenyans?”
Some questioned the protections offered to workers recruited for overseas jobs, such as retirement contributions and bilateral agreements with Qatar to secure their pension rights. Others argued the ministry’s social media presence now feels like a recruitment agency rather than a public resource.
“Kenyans don’t face a ‘job crisis,’” one commenter argued. “The real issue is our stagnant manufacturing sector. Revive manufacturing, push its contribution to GDP to 40%, and unemployment will fall.”
President Ruto rode to power in 2022 with promises to create millions of local job opportunities and reduce the cost of living. Two years in, he has initiated the Affordable Housing program and taken frequent foreign trips to secure jobs abroad. Yet, many citizens feel these efforts fall short amid rising taxes and a high cost of living that hinder local businesses.
For many Kenyans, the question remains: Is exporting labor truly the answer, or is it time for a more homegrown solution?
Article By Suzy Nyongesa.
