Mutua: Drug Use Derailing Youth Job Opportunities Abroad

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The rising use of narcotics among young people is increasingly shutting them out of employment opportunities with the government warning that drug abuse is now a major barrier to securing jobs, especially in overseas labour markets.

Labour and social protection cabinet secretary Alfred Mutua cautioned job seekers against drug use saying many young Kenyans were missing out on opportunities due to failed medical tests linked to substance abuse.

“Stop chewing Muguka and smoking bhang. You will not get a job if you are an addict,” he told hundreds of youth who turned up for a mass overseas recruitment exercise at National Industrial Training (NITA) in Mombasa County.

Hundreds of young people turned out at the institution for recruitment of 4,000 jobs.

He noted that countries recruiting Kenyan workers enforce strict health and drug screening protocols, automatically disqualifying candidates who test positive for drugs.

“If you smoke bhang and chew Muguka, just know you will fail tests for overseas jobs because substances remain in your blood for months. Hakuna nchi inataka mvuta bangi kwao you are responsible for your own actions,” the CS told the youth during the recruitment exercise.

According to him substances such as Muguka can remain in the bloodstream for months, making it difficult for users to pass mandatory medical examinations required before deployment abroad.

He said the growing trend of drug consumption among youth was undermining government efforts to create employment opportunities through bilateral labour agreements.

“Consumption of drugs is a problem to the majority of young people in Kenya. We urge them to be responsible and choose a healthy lifestyle.”

At the same time, the CS warned job seekers against falling prey to fraudulent recruitment agencies emphasizing that only licensed firms should be engaged during the job application process.

“We have 26 registered companies in the Mombasa recruitment. These are the only genuine ones. Those fake companies we have deregistered them.”

He stressed that job seekers who knowingly pay to unregistered agencies risked losing their money and should not blame the government for such losses.

“Before you can be registered as a nurse to work in UAE, you must be registered in that country,” he explained underscoring the importance of meeting international professional standards.

He directed that recruitment agencies must refund applicants who fail medical tests, deducting only the cost of medical examinations.

“If an agency takes commission and you fail a health test maybe because of HIV or any other health-related issues they should refund your money, minus the cost for medical.”

The government, through his ministry, has intensified efforts to connect Kenyan youth with employment opportunities abroad. 

Some of the jobs ready for young people to fill include, security guards, nurses, drivers, catering, baristers among others.

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