NAIROBI, Kenya — Rogue employment agents who illegally charge Kenyan job seekers will now be forced to refund the money or face legal action, the government has announced, as part of a sweeping crackdown on fraudulent recruitment schemes that exploit desperate youth.
Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime said the government is overhauling the foreign job recruitment process to stamp out fake agents and criminal cartels that have preyed on Kenyans seeking work abroad.
“We are going to regulate and restructure the recruitment process. Rogue agents must refund the money they collect from job seekers or be taken to court,” Mwadime warned during a graduation ceremony at Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa.
The move comes amid growing public pressure on the government to act on rising reports of abuse and exploitation of Kenyan migrant workers, especially in the Gulf region.
“We are committed to ensuring our youths travel through recognised agencies and obtain valid work permits,” he said.
Call for Vigilance
Mwadime urged job seekers to verify the credibility of recruitment agencies using the National Employment Authority (NEA) website, which lists authorised recruiters and flags suspicious ones.
Agents marked in red on the site have been deemed high-risk.
“Don’t deal with anyone not listed. Unregistered agents are the biggest danger to our young people,” he cautioned.
He clarified that while the government would not directly place workers in foreign jobs, it would play a stronger regulatory and facilitative role, including screening agencies and tightening oversight.
A History of Abuse
The Ministry of Labour’s crackdown follows a troubling pattern of mistreatment faced by Kenyan workers abroad, particularly domestic workers in the Middle East.
A 2024 Amnesty International report titled “Locked In, Left Out” exposed the harrowing experiences of at least 72 Kenyan women in Saudi Arabia.
Many were lured by false job promises and ended up trapped under the Kafala system, facing forced labour, sexual abuse, racism, and severe isolation.
The report increased pressure on the Kenyan government to protect migrant workers and hold rogue agents accountable.
No More Visitor Visas
Mwadime also condemned the practice of sending job seekers abroad on visitor visas rather than proper work permits—a loophole often exploited by dishonest recruiters.
“Many of our youths are stranded abroad without jobs or legal status because of this trickery. That ends now,” he said.
In response, the Ministry has partnered with NEA to launch a nationwide awareness campaign and publish a blacklist of banned agencies.
It is also strengthening its migration readiness programme, offering pre-departure training on labour laws, workers’ rights, and job expectations abroad.
Skills and Safety First
Mwadime encouraged young Kenyans to obtain job-specific qualifications and certifications to boost their competitiveness and safety.
For example, delivery riders heading to Dubai must have valid riding licences.
“Our young people are energetic, disciplined, and hard-working. We want them to be well-prepared, documented, and empowered to succeed,” he said.
The government’s intensified scrutiny of recruitment agencies signals a tougher stance on labour migration abuses—one that may bring relief to thousands of Kenyan families pinning their hopes on opportunities abroad.
