Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua disclosed that approximately 5,000 Kenyans are stranded in Qatar, facing financial hardships and unemployment.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Sunday night, Mutua attributed this situation to unregulated recruitment agencies that have misled Kenyans with promises of lucrative jobs abroad, only to abandon them upon arrival.
“These 5,000 Kenyans, who are now living like refugees, were taken to Qatar under false pretenses, mostly during the 2022 FIFA World Cup period,” Mutua explained.
Many traveled to Qatar expecting stable jobs, but as the World Cup concluded, these job opportunities vanished, leaving them unable to return home.
Mutua added that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been providing food for these Kenyans daily.
He expressed frustration with recruitment agencies that charged significant fees up to sh250,000 ($2,000) for placements that only lasted a few months.
With the high cost of initial fees and travel, many Kenyans opted to remain in Qatar, hoping for alternative job opportunities rather than face the costly journey back home.
“Some Kenyans even sold land, livestock, or took on debt to cover the recruitment fees, only to find themselves abandoned abroad.
Corruption within this process has been a significant factor,” Mutua remarked.
He emphasized the need for a clean-up in the recruitment system, noting his efforts since his previous role in the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, and now within the Ministry of Labour.
Mutua stressed that job seekers should only pay for essential medical tests and required fees, not additional charges levied by unscrupulous agencies.
“One of my top priorities in this ministry has been addressing corruption to protect Kenyans from these exploitative practices,” he concluded, underscoring his commitment to making overseas employment safer and fairer for all Kenyans.
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