NAIROBI, Kenya — The Government of Kenya has urged all nationals residing in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to register with the Embassy of Kenya in Moscow amid growing concerns over unverified job offers and fraudulent recruitment networks.
In a statement, the embassy said it has received numerous inquiries from Kenyans and their families reporting that employment opportunities, high salaries, and residency arrangements promised before travel were either nonexistent or significantly different upon arrival.
“Many affected individuals or their relatives have written to the Embassy directly or through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, reporting that the jobs they were promised, upon arrival, did not materialise,” the communiqué reads.
The embassy warned that in some cases, passports were withheld, movement was restricted, and individuals were subjected to conditions beyond their control, limiting access to consular services.
“Immediate extraction or repatriation may be challenging due to contractual disputes, restricted locations, or legal processes under host country laws,” it added.
Kenyans have been strongly advised against travelling to Russia for employment arranged through social media, messaging applications, or unlicensed agencies.
The government also cautioned against using tourist visas for employment purposes.
To ensure safety and access to support, the embassy urged all Kenyan nationals in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to:
- Register with the Embassy to guarantee access to consular services.
- Verify all overseas job offers through the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, and the Kenyan diplomatic mission before departure.
- Inform family members about the risks of unverified travel and potential limitations on government assistance.
“Members of the public should note that individuals who knowingly bypass government verification procedures may encounter situations where assistance options are severely constrained by local laws,” the embassy said.
The Kenyan mission is working closely with authorities in the affected countries to dismantle emerging fraudulent recruitment networks and urged all those seeking jobs abroad to exercise due diligence to avoid falling victim to deceptive practices.
