Mutua decries high failure rate in ongoing Qatar jobs recruitment

Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has bemoaned a high failure rate among hordes of Kenyans who continue to turn up for the ongoing recruitment of semi-skilled and menial jobs by an unnamed Qatari company.

The interviews, which kicked off on Friday, are being conducted in Nairobi by officials from the Middle Eastern company seeking workers across hospitality and service, construction and technical industries, according to Mutua’s ministry.

They comprise nurses, kitchen helpers, runners, kids attendants, hotel maintenance technicians, light vehicle drivers, waitresses, and stewarding supervisors.

Mutua on Sunday said while over 15,000 Kenyans have shown up in the last three days to compete for the 8,000 positions available, only about five per cent are qualifying.

“Out of 100 people interviewed, maybe five passed and this is because people are coming to say they have certain skills which they don’t,” the CS told a press conference in Nairobi.

“The company is very strict and wants qualified people… You must be skilled for the specific jobs.”

He said the recruitment, initially set to end on Sunday, had been extended to Monday noon when the company expects to get more workers across steel technology, carpentry, masonry and driving.

Mutua said they expected about 3,000 people to be hired on Monday.

At the same time, the labour minister said those hired but do not have passports will get them processed in under two days.

“If you are hired but do not have a passport … I have worked it out with the Interior Ministry; you can log on to eCitizen, fill out your passport application and you will be able to get it within a day or two and be ready for your visa interview,” Mutua said.

Youths, mostly aged between 20 and 29 and some travelling overnight from upcountry, have been turning out in large numbers at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) for the ongoing mass recruitment.

But some have been lamenting about being turned away for not having passports, despite the labour ministry’s announcement that the document is not needed at the interview stage.

At the same time, the recruitment drive has come under heavy criticism from a section of Kenyans who have termed it part of President William Ruto’s government's ‘obsession’ with exporting labour instead of creating a conducive business environment in the country.

Others also criticise the government for still encouraging Kenyans to take up menial jobs in Middle Eastern countries despite numerous reports of abuse, exploitation and even death of Kenyan workers there.