Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has expressed frustration over the high failure rate in an ongoing recruitment exercise by a Qatari company, which seeks semi-skilled Kenyan workers for various positions.

According to Mutua, despite over 15,000 Kenyans attending interviews since Friday, only five per cent of applicants have qualified for the available 8,000 jobs.

He explained that many applicants have failed because they claim to have skills they don’t actually have.

“Out of 100 people interviewed, maybe five passed,” Mutua said during a press conference in Nairobi on Sunday.

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

The recruitment, taking place at Nairobi’s Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), is seeking workers for roles such as nurses, kitchen helpers, runners, kids’ attendants, hotel maintenance technicians, light vehicle drivers, waitresses, and stewarding supervisors.

Mutua noted that due to the low number of qualified candidates, the recruitment period has been extended from Sunday to Monday noon to secure more hires, especially in fields like steel technology, carpentry, masonry, and driving.

He also announced plans to streamline the passport application process for those hired without travel documents.

“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,” he said.

The exercise has however drawn criticism from some Kenyans, who argue that the government should prioritise creating local employment opportunities instead of sending citizens abroad for work.

They argue that the administration, under President William Ruto, is overly focused on exporting labour at the expense of a favourable domestic business climate.

Additionally, some have raised concerns about the continued promotion of employment in the Middle East, given reports of exploitation, abuse, and even death among Kenyan workers in the region.

Youths, mainly aged between 20 and 29, including many who travelled from upcountry, have been turning up in large numbers for recruitment.

Some report being turned away for not having passports, despite the ministry’s earlier assurance that these documents would not be needed at the interview stage.