Kenyan youth urged to acquire skills for global jobs as gov't warns against fake recruiters

Kenyan youth seeking employment opportunities abroad have been urged to acquire relevant technical skills and verify overseas job offers to avoid falling victim to fraudulent recruitment agencies.

Irene Karari, Director of Skills and Expertise at the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, warned that unscrupulous recruitment agents were increasingly using social media platforms, including TikTok, to lure unsuspecting jobseekers with promises of non-existent employment opportunities abroad.

Karari urged young people to establish the legitimacy of recruitment agencies before paying any fees, submitting personal documents or making travel arrangements, noting that some Kenyans had fallen victim to exploitation and human trafficking after accepting unverified job offers.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of Cascade Institute of Hospitality and the unveiling of its new campus along the Ruiru Eastern Bypass, she advised prospective migrant workers to confirm that recruitment agencies were registered with the National Employment Authority.

“Before accepting an overseas job, take time to establish who is recruiting and whether they are authorised to do so. Recruitment advertisements on social media should not be taken at face value. Young people must verify these opportunities through the National Employment Authority and seek guidance from our department before making travel arrangements,” she said.

Karari said the State Department for Diaspora Affairs was available to guide prospective migrant workers through the recruitment process and help them make informed decisions before leaving the country.

Her remarks come amid growing demand for skilled workers in international markets, particularly in hospitality, healthcare and information and communications technology, presenting Kenyan youth with opportunities to secure employment beyond the country's borders.

Cascade Institute of Hospitality founder Sylvester Njuguna said the hospitality and tourism industry offered significant opportunities for young people, including professional development, entrepreneurship and exposure to different cultures.

He said technical qualifications alone were not sufficient to guarantee success in the industry, urging graduates to develop strong work ethics, discipline, cultural awareness and customer service skills.

“Our industry is built around people and service. Having technical knowledge is important, but graduates must also demonstrate discipline, professionalism and an understanding of different cultures. We are particularly proud to see our former students applying these values and building careers beyond Kenya,” said Njuguna.

Kouzon Corporation Director in Kenya Zoran Kocoski and Kiambu Deputy Governor Rosemary Kirika called for training programmes to be aligned with international industry standards to improve the competitiveness of Kenyan graduates in the global labour market.

Kirika said addressing youth unemployment required equipping young people with practical competencies that would enable them to pursue opportunities both locally and internationally.

She challenged young people to look beyond conventional employment pathways and embrace technical training and innovation as avenues for economic empowerment.

“Unemployment should push us to rethink how we prepare our young people for the future. There are opportunities within Kenya and in the international market, and our responsibility is to ensure that the youth have the skills and confidence to take advantage of both,” she said.

Students attending the celebrations, led by Tiffany Ruth and George Kimani, said technical training had broadened their understanding of career opportunities by equipping them with practical skills applicable in different employment environments.

They noted that vocational training offered young people alternative pathways to economic independence through formal employment and entrepreneurship, while improving their prospects of securing jobs in international markets.

Ruth urged young people to take responsibility for their career development by enrolling in technical courses and acquiring skills that would make them competitive in an increasingly demanding labour market.

“Young people should not spend all their time complaining about the lack of jobs when there are skills they can acquire to change their circumstances. Technical training gives us a starting point to pursue our ambitions, become self-reliant and explore opportunities wherever they arise,” she said.