This archive report was first published on 12 November 2021.
Kenya's government has abolished the requirement for job seekers to produce clearance certificates from various institutions, a move aimed at easing the burden on young people seeking employment.
The Employment Amendment Bill, sponsored by nominated MP Gideon Keter, was unanimously supported by lawmakers on Wednesday.
According to the Bill, employers will no longer ask for documents like Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) clearance certificates until an offer of employment is guaranteed.
Mr. Keter explained that once a person is guaranteed employment, they can discuss with the employer on how to present their certificates.
Research by the parliamentary budget office revealed that the institutions clearing graduates have been collecting over Sh750 million every year from job seekers.
Mr. Keter added that this is a clear indication that job seekers, mostly youth, have been financially burdened, and the country should adopt best practices from other jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, which has relieved its graduates from this financial burden.
Government institutions currently demand clearance certificates from the Kenya Revenue Authority, Credit Reference Bureau, Higher Education Loans Board, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and a certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
However, the amendment recommends that job applicants, especially the youth, should not be subjected to the tedious process of seeking clearance.
Published on November 12, 2021, the Employment Amendment Bill, 2019, aims to end the practice where job seekers have to furnish potential employers with important documents when applying for a job.
