Labour Cabinet Secretary, Alfred Mutua, has announced the recruitment of 10,000 Kenyans for Dubai’s construction sector. The recruitment process will take place on Friday, January 3, and Saturday, January 4, at the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, from 8 am to 5 pm each day. The available positions include steel fixers, masons, scaffolders, carpenters, waterproofing technicians, and general workers.
Interested candidates are required to bring their certificates, relevant documentation, and appropriate clothing for practical assessments. Successful candidates will be issued with offer letters on the spot, marking the beginning of an exciting opportunity abroad. After a brief three-day medical and processing period, the candidates will be issued visas, with travel arrangements completed shortly thereafter. To ease the process, CS Mutua assured those without passports that expedited issuance will be available.
In a bid to make the opportunity accessible to many, Mutua has negotiated reduced and affordable costs for the recruitment. The candidates will be responsible for their tickets, medical, and minor processing fees, but they will receive free accommodation, transport, food, and medical care while in Dubai. Salaries for the positions will range from KSh 33,000 to KSh 60,000 per month, tax-free.
This initiative comes as part of the government’s broader effort to address Kenya’s youth unemployment crisis, which has seen over five million youths without formal employment. Mutua emphasized that the opportunity is life-changing, urging Kenyans to seize the chance, as he stated, “Mbele iko sawa” (The future is bright).
Despite some criticism for prioritizing construction and other labor-intensive roles, the government’s push for jobs abroad reflects its determination to provide employment for Kenyans. In December 2024, similar recruitment drives were conducted at Kabete and Nyeri National Polytechnics. This ongoing effort is a significant part of the government’s strategy to secure opportunities for the unemployed, particularly the youth, who continue to face limited prospects within the local job market.
