Hundreds of unemployed youth in Eldoret were left frustrated and stranded on Thursday after turning up for a foreign job recruitment exercise that never materialized. The exercise, purportedly advertised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, was supposed to take place at Eldoret National Polytechnic in Uasin Gishu County. However, upon arrival, the job seekers were turned away by security personnel, who claimed they had no information regarding the recruitment.
The disappointed youth had gathered as early as 5 a.m., hoping to secure opportunities abroad. Many had traveled long distances, spending scarce resources in anticipation of a brighter future. Chepkarai Marius from Kesses sub-county expressed his frustration, questioning the government’s commitment to addressing unemployment.
“It is very frustrating; some of us have come from far, and our parents had to sell chicken to get us bus fare. Can President William Ruto address this issue? Is it a real government initiative, or is it fake?” Marius lamented.
This incident comes just a week after a similar case in Kisii County, where over 200 youth arrived at Kisii National Polytechnic for a recruitment exercise, only to find that no government officials were present.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua later addressed the issue, stating that his ministry had issued a notice in early December putting the recruitment process on hold. He explained that the delay was necessary to allow pilot counties to process initial job offers and streamline the system before announcing new recruitment dates. However, many youth remain skeptical, arguing that such incidents reflect poor communication and government inefficiency.
The confusion highlights a broader issue of youth unemployment in Kenya, with thousands of young people eager for job opportunities, both locally and internationally. The government has previously touted foreign job placements as a way to address unemployment, but repeated mishaps in recruitment processes have raised concerns over transparency and coordination.
With unemployment rates soaring, the affected youth are now demanding clear communication and accountability from the Ministry of Labour. They urge the government to provide official statements on upcoming job opportunities to prevent further misinformation and unnecessary suffering.
As the country grapples with high unemployment levels, such incidents underscore the urgency of developing sustainable employment solutions. The youth, already burdened by economic hardships, hope that the government will implement effective policies that provide genuine job opportunities rather than causing frustration through mismanaged recruitment exercises.
