Rogue recruitment agencies to refund job seekers or face legal action, says Labour ministry
The PS urged job seekers to verify recruitment agencies through official government channels, specifically pointing them to the National Employment Authority website.
Rogue employment recruitment agencies will now be forced to refund money they collect from job seekers or risk legal action.
The Ministry of Labour and Skills Development has said the move is part of a broader effort to safeguard desperate youth from exploitation by fake recruiters.
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Speaking during a graduation ceremony for divers at the Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA), Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime revealed that the government plans to restructure the recruitment process to eliminate rogue agencies that prey on vulnerable Kenyans seeking jobs abroad.
“We are going to regulate and restructure the recruitment process. We are asking the rogue recruitment agents to refund the money or be taken to court,” Mwadime said.
The PS urged job seekers to verify recruitment agencies through official government channels, specifically pointing them to the National Employment Authority (NEA) website, which lists approved agents. He cautioned against dealing with unregistered individuals.
Mwadime clarified that while the government will not directly engage in the recruitment of workers for foreign jobs, it will play a regulatory and facilitative role.
“The government will facilitate by bringing the agents together and regulating the recruitment process,” he said.
Criminal cartels
He stressed the government’s commitment to ridding the recruitment sector of criminal cartels that defraud job seekers.
According to him, agents marked in red on the NEA website are flagged as questionable, and job seekers should avoid them at all costs. He advised potential applicants to consult with the ministry for verification before engaging any recruiter.
To protect workers from abuse, the Ministry of Labour has partnered with NEA in a nationwide sensitisation campaign and released a list of blacklisted recruitment agencies to help the public make informed decisions.
“We are committed to ensuring our youths travel through recognised agencies and obtain valid work permits. We urge job seekers to avoid unregistered agents,” Mwadime warned.
Visitor visas
He further raised concerns over recruiters who trick applicants into travelling on visitor visas instead of legitimate work permits, a practice that has left many Kenyans stranded abroad without legal recourse or employment.
The crackdown follows mounting pressure on the government to address rampant exploitation faced by Kenyan workers overseas.
A recent Amnesty International report titled "Locked In, Left Out: The Hidden Lives of Kenyan Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia" documented the harrowing experiences of at least 72 Kenyan women working under the Kafala (sponsorship) system.
Forced labour
According to the report, the women were lured with false promises of prosperity, only to endure forced labour, sexual abuse, racism, isolation and both physical and verbal assaults at the hands of their employers.
In response, the Ministry of Labour has scaled up its migration readiness programme to prepare outbound workers with the knowledge and skills necessary for safe migration. This includes pre-departure training that informs job seekers about foreign labour laws, expectations and rights.
Mwadime also highlighted the importance of proper documentation for specific jobs abroad, noting that applicants must obtain valid rider licences for delivery jobs in Dubai, among other requirements. He encouraged skilled youth to pursue certification exams to boost their employability.
“Our young people are energetic, disciplined, and hard-working. They can perform their duties as expected. We are investing in their readiness so they can thrive abroad,” the PS said.
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