CS Mutua calls uproar over foreign job scams ‘noise’ from members of one community

Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has dismissed criticism of the government's overseas jobs drive as “noise” from a single ethnic community, which he claims has been “incited”.

This is amid testimonies from job seekers who have reported getting offers but not getting the actual jobs despite payments to government-approved agencies to facilitate overseas employment. Some have hence labelled the initiative a scam.

In an interview with Spice FM, Mutua said, “The sad thing is the people complaining… making so much noise, are all from one community. It is because they have been incited by somebody from that community. You ask yourself, Why aren't there people from other areas?"

Mutua said the government has clamped down on job scams and is probing 153 people and agencies caught operating without approval.

Even so, applicants who went through the government-approved agencies have raised issues about the time it takes to get the jobs despite having paid the requisite fees for processing.

However, the minister said those dismissing the initiative on such grounds are impatient. Mutua claimed rogue political leaders are mobilising protests against the jobs drive.

“A one-week delay, and people are taking to the streets, and they do not want you to tell them anything. It is either their way or none,” he said.

The CS added: “When you incite people because you are trying to run for office or something, it brings a problem. It is taking advantage of people.”

Last week, Mutua’s ministry said that more than 1,000 job seekers had already left the country under the overseas job program out of the 3,000 prequalified in the October 2024 recruitment drive.