Machakos Youth to Benefit from New Technology-Driven Employment Partnership
Thousands of young people in Machakos County are set to benefit from improved access to employment opportunities following the launch of a new technology-driven recruitment partnership between Kenyan entrepreneur Eric Muli and recruitment platform Joby. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between skilled job seekers and employers by creating a transparent, efficient, and accessible recruitment system that connects verified talent with genuine employment opportunities.
The partnership was officially unveiled during a launch event held in Machakos, where stakeholders emphasized the urgent need to tackle youth unemployment through innovative digital solutions. The collaboration is expected to simplify the recruitment process by providing a platform where employers can easily identify qualified candidates while enabling young people to access verified job openings without unnecessary barriers.
Speaking during the launch, Eric Muli said technology has become one of the most effective tools for addressing unemployment and unlocking Kenya’s economic potential. He noted that many young people possess the skills and qualifications required in today’s labour market but often struggle to find credible employment opportunities due to limited access to trusted recruitment channels.
“Technology can transform how people access opportunity. Through our partnership with Joby, we are simplifying recruitment, connecting employers with skilled talent and ensuring young people build sustainable careers. When we invest in solutions that bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, we strengthen our communities and unlock economic growth,” Muli said.
According to the organizers, the platform is designed to eliminate common challenges experienced by job seekers, including fraudulent job advertisements and inaccessible recruitment processes. Instead, users will have access to verified vacancies from trusted employers across multiple industries, making it easier to secure legitimate employment opportunities.
The initiative also seeks to strengthen relationships between employers and skilled professionals by ensuring recruitment is based on transparency and credibility. Organizers believe this approach will improve employer confidence while increasing employment opportunities for qualified young people.
The partnership aligns with the priorities outlined in the Machakos County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027, which identifies unemployment and limited economic activity as some of the county’s biggest development challenges. The county’s development blueprint encourages innovative and market-driven interventions that connect employers with job seekers and stimulate economic growth.
According to the CIDP, inadequate economic activity remains the leading cause of poverty, affecting 74.4 percent of working-age adults and 36.7 percent of young people in the county. These figures highlight the need for sustainable employment initiatives capable of improving livelihoods while supporting long-term economic development.
Joby founder Joram Theuri, who witnessed the launch, described the partnership as a significant milestone in creating a trusted recruitment ecosystem that benefits both employers and young professionals. He said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to making employment opportunities more accessible while supporting business growth across different sectors.
“Our vision is to build the most trusted recruitment ecosystem where talent and opportunity meet without barriers. At Joby, credibility, transparency and long-term partnerships are the foundation of everything we do. Through this collaboration, we are giving employers greater confidence in the talent they hire while enabling young people to access meaningful employment and contribute to Kenya’s economic growth,” Theuri said.
Joby currently provides verified employment opportunities across several key industries, including the creative economy, hospitality, media, and technology sectors. By focusing on verified job listings, the platform aims to reduce the risk of scams that often target desperate job seekers while ensuring employers have access to a pool of qualified candidates.
Unlike many recruitment platforms that require payment from applicants, Joby offers its services free of charge to job seekers. Organizers say this approach removes financial barriers that prevent many young people from applying for jobs, ensuring equal access regardless of economic background. Employers, on the other hand, benefit from an easier and more efficient way of identifying suitable candidates for available positions.
As part of the partnership, the platform will publish verified employment opportunities every month while continuously expanding its network of employers. The organizers expect the growing network to increase the number of opportunities available to young people in Machakos and beyond, while also supporting businesses seeking skilled employees.
The initiative comes at a time when digital innovation continues to reshape labour markets across Kenya. Technology-based recruitment platforms are increasingly becoming an important tool for matching talent with employment opportunities, particularly among young people who rely heavily on digital platforms to search for jobs.
Organizers expressed optimism that the partnership will not only reduce unemployment but also contribute to stronger local economies by empowering young people to secure sustainable careers. They believe that increasing access to genuine employment opportunities will improve household incomes, stimulate entrepreneurship, and contribute to broader national economic growth.
Joby’s mission is to build a trusted recruitment ecosystem that expands employment opportunities for Africa’s next generation of professionals by connecting talented young people with verified employers. Through partnerships such as the one launched in Machakos, the platform hopes to create lasting impact by making recruitment more transparent, inclusive, and accessible for all.
