NGO offers 20,000 jobs in campaign to end poverty in Kenya

Thousands of job seekers flocked to Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday after reports an organisation was offering jobs.

Kenyans from across the country started arriving as early as 6am. Some spent the night near the venue to be there in time for the launch of a programme popularised as a road map to free Kenyans from poverty.

Senior officials from the East Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Safe Promotion Foundation-International were on hand to receive the job seekers with a promise that their lives "will never be the same again".

CEO Julius Kithome said the organisation is working with the Devolution ministry to improve the lives of Kenyans. He said the first beneficiaries had been recruited and asked to attend the launch.

“Kenya will experience a revolution during the programme’s first year in terms of economic and social empowerment of her people. We have the blessings of the government,” said Mr Kithome.

However, besides security personnel, no government official or politician was present at the launch that saw the initial 20,000 people offered appointment letters.

To some, like Mr Peter Wakoli, who had travelled all the way from Bungoma County, this was a God-given opportunity considering that he had been jobless for six years though he is a university graduate.

“I am excited and hope those funding this initiative will be able to sustain it. Many colleges and universities are releasing graduates each year yet there are no jobs and we have no capital to venture into business,” said Mr Wakoli.

An appointment letter for the position of regional unit cluster manager given to a beneficiary from Nyanza showed a gross salary of Sh120,000 and the appointee is expected to work five days in a week and half a day on Saturdays.

“However, you may be called to work extra hours depending (on) work volume and urgency,” reads the signed letter that also bears an advocate's rubber stamp as a witness.