The plan to export Kenyan human capital hit a snag following rejection of 3,500 applications by Kenyans in Kuwait.
President William Ruto reached into an agreement with Kuwait to employ Kenyans in different positions.
Over 5,000 Kenyans applied. Kenyan Ambassador to Kuwait, Halima Mahmoud divulged that only 1,500 Kenyans had passed the test.
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The 1,500 are set to travel to the Middle East in December 2023.
After taking admission examinations, Kenyans who had expressed interest in skilled jobs were found that just thirty percent of candidates knew anything about the occupations they were seeking for.
Kenyans will travel to Kuwait in greater numbers in 2024 as a result of an agreement the Kenyan government made to export domestic labor.
Kenya and Kuwait have not yet signed a Memorandum of Understanding to begin the hiring of domestic help.
The recent cabinet shift, which saw Alfred Mutua, the cabinet secretary for foreign affairs, transferred to the tourism docket, was blamed for the delay in signing the Memorandum of Understanding.
Mutua was supposed to visit Kuwait around the time of the October reorganization in order to complete the transaction.
The deal’s signing date has not yet been disclosed by Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, who currently oversees the Foreign Affairs docket.
In addition to looking for jobs within the country, Musalia will continue to advocate for direct flights between the two nations.
Kuwait will keep looking for talented workers from Kenya, according to Ambassador Mahmoud, even though a significant portion of candidates failed the exam.
Ruto declared in June that Kenya aimed to employ one million Kenyans overseas.
