Nobody is forcing you to go: CS Mutua on Kenyans opposing overseas jobs

Speaking during the Jamhuri National Trade Fair, CS Mutua responded to reports of Kenyan workers having to pay extra fees and at times cater for their air tickets to travel abroad. 

This raised concerns over the transparent nature of the process involved in acquiring the job opportunities. 

CS Mutua clarified that the nature of the process depends on the hiring company. He explained that some companies will provide all the requirements needed for travel while others expect the workers to facilitate their travel. 

"Nobody is forcing you to go or pay, you make the choice. Some companies will provide everything and there are others that you will have to sort the air ticket yourselves," Mutua noted. 

"I went to Australia where a company seeks to recruit nurses who will be paid Ksh.500,000 monthly. Before you can become a nurse, you need to do an attestation, sit exams and upon adding an air ticket, the fees come to around Ksh.300,000 to go to Australia," he added. 

"My job is to make sure you're not conned. If you pay a deposit and fail their medicals, you get back the remaining cash."

He heaped praise over the progress of the overseas jobs, indicating that 200 police officers were set to travel to Qatar by the end of December while 7,000 workers would be required for technical work in Dubai. 

"We just recruited 200 police officers for Qatar, they just doing their security checks, by the end of this month they will be going to Qatar as police officers," he remarked. 

The CS implored Kenyans who secure jobs to follow the laws abroad to avoid unnecessary inconveniences.

He referenced a situation in Qatar whereby some 23 Kenyans were banned from travelling to the Gulf nation for breaking the law. 

Mutua pointed out that exporting such talents to work abroad helped in reducing the unemployment gap in the country.

He noted that the talents gain experience and skills to become valuable assets when they return home. 

His remarks are akin to President William Ruto who likened those who opposed his policies to being possessed by an evil spirit. 

"Kenyans, there is an evil spirit opposing everything," Ruto said on December 4, 2024.