MPs accuse CS Mutua of favouring Ukambani region in overseas jobs drive

Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua is facing fresh questions from lawmakers over the handling of a government-backed recruitment drive for jobs in Qatar.

The Parliamentary Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers claims the process was tilted in favour of CS Mutua’s home counties, raising concerns about fairness, communication, and the growing threat of rogue recruitment agencies.

Appearing before the Parliamentary committee on Tuesday, Mutua was pressed to explain why a national exercise that took place in six counties between November and December 2024 was majorly concentrated in his home turf of Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui.

“We demand to know why this exercise was conducted in your region dominantly. What is not happening?” Kacheliba MP Titus Lotee posed.

Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed added: “This number is very big, yet you are taking from one county. We also want to know the criteria that was used to give these young men jobs.”

In his defence, CS Mutua dismissed claims of regional bias and pledged to provide data showing the actual distribution of job offers.

“It is very unfair to demonise one region. I can bring a report to this committee on how many people were given jobs and show how the Kamba community ni wachache walibenefit,” said Mutua.

The session also turned to the rise of fraudulent recruitment agencies, with MPs accusing the ministry of failing to adequately inform Kenyans about legitimate job channels.

“Have you gone out and told the people which agencies are conning them?” Lang’ata MP Phelix ‘Jalang’o’ Odiwuor posed.

CS Mutua responded; “I agree we have not done a good job communicating. But it is also the initiative of every Kenyan to do due diligence when applying for these jobs.”

The committee now wants a detailed list of vetted agencies and a public awareness campaign to shield job seekers from exploitation.

“You know we wonder why you are a lone ranger—and why you have refused to work with us. We have numbers—we can communicate these things on your behalf,” noted MP Jalang’o.

Out of 6,385 Kenyans who turned up for the recruitment last November and December, only 925 received provisional job offers. Some applicants say they were conned by bogus agents.