Kericho to Host Diaspora Job Fair This August as Overseas Opportunities Expand

Kenya's latest Diaspora Job Fair is taking place at Belgut Technical Training Institute in Kericho County as the government expands its drive to connect job seekers with overseas employment opportunities through regional recruitment centres.

The fair forms part of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs' economic diplomacy agenda, which aims to take international labour recruitment beyond Nairobi and into local communities. Through programmes such as Kazi Majuu, the government is working with technical and vocational training institutions across the Rift Valley, Coast, Central and Western regions to make overseas jobs more accessible.

The programme seeks to bring verified recruitment agencies, safety measures and skills certification closer to job seekers. This approach reduces the cost of travelling to Nairobi and helps protect applicants from fraudulent brokers. It also gives participants access to information about employment contracts, recruitment procedures and the conditions they can expect when working abroad.

At the same time, concerns are growing about the social impact of labour migration. Reports from areas that have hosted the job fairs indicate that some married men and women are accepting overseas jobs without informing their spouses. 

In several cases, families have only discovered that a partner had secured travel documents, completed recruitment requirements and left the country after their departure. This has left some households facing unexpected separation, children without adequate preparation and spouses dealing with debts taken to finance the move.

Government officials have acknowledged these challenges. Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi, Secretary for Diaspora Welfare and Partnerships, has said that labour migration can place significant pressure on families. While remittances contribute to the economy, she noted that the absence of a parent or spouse can affect family relationships, change caregiving responsibilities and create emotional difficulties for children. 

She has called for stronger counselling services and improved welfare support for families affected by migration. Some policy experts are proposing a greater role for local chiefs and assistant chiefs in the recruitment process. They argue that local administrators, who are familiar with their communities, could help confirm that families have been informed before overseas employment contracts are finalised.

Supporters believe this would encourage open communication, reduce secret departures and help ensure that children are not left without proper care arrangements. The government's regional job fairs remain an important part of its efforts to reduce unemployment and increase Kenya's participation in international labour markets.