News

17 May 2023

• In a statement, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said the information was false and the programs that had been referenced do not exist.

• Mutua said Canada has more employment opportunities than available people to work, thus the agreement to allow Kenyan workers help fill the gap.

The Canadian government has dismissed an announcement by Kenyan Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Alfred Mutua that Kenyans can now travel to the country for job opportunities.

In a statement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said the information was false and the programs that had been referenced do not exist.

The IRCC said for accurate information on how to move to Canada, Kenyans should visit the country's immigration website.

"Disinformation is circulating which suggests that special programs are welcoming Kenyan immigrants. This is false, and the immigration programs referenced do not exist. For accurate information on how to immigrate, visit http://Canada.ca/immigration," IRCC said on Tuesday.

The statement came hours after Mutua called on Kenyans to apply for jobs in Canada.

Mutua who is on an official visit to the country said, he held a meeting with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada Sean Fraser and they agreed on the various migration opportunity pathways for Kenyans to go work in Canada.

However, unlike other Canadian ministers Mutua met during the visit, there were no pictures of the two meeting.

A spot check by the Star also confirmed that Fraser's social media pages do not have pictures or information about the two ministers meeting.

Mutua said Canada has more employment opportunities than available people to work, thus the agreement to allow Kenyan workers help fill the gap.

He said the process for those who wish to go to Canada is simple but requires diligence.

"I was pleased to note that there are job opportunities within various economic sectors across Canada and Kenyans can travel as students, tourists and as workers," the CS said.

"We are in negotiations and we will be providing a comprehensive statement within the next few days with guidance and links agreed upon between the Kenyan and the Canadian government so that Kenyans can apply for migration or job visas," Mutua said.

He also warned that Kenyans ought to be careful and wary of agencies that say they are recruiting for Canadian firms.