32 firms blacklisted in crackdown on rogue overseas job agencies
Mutua also revealed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is probing 153 other recruitment firms over possible criminal activities, with the goal of taking legal action.
The government has blacklisted 32 recruitment agencies and advised Kenyans to avoid them when seeking overseas jobs.
This move comes amid growing concerns about fraudulent job placements and complaints from thousands of youth who claim they lost money in a failed labour export plan.
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Appearing before the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee on Tuesday, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said the blacklisted firms are operating illegally or using expired licences.
Mutua also revealed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is probing 153 other recruitment firms over possible criminal activities, with the goal of taking legal action.
The committee, chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, is investigating how many job seekers lost money in a scheme that was expected to provide employment opportunities abroad.
Mutua defended the ministry’s efforts, saying steps are being taken to clean up the sector and protect innocent Kenyans.
“What we have are records of those who feel the programme has been delayed and they have been explained to what is happening and they are patient,” he told the committee.
The meeting took a confrontational turn when nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba was accused of having a personal stake in the same programme she is helping investigate.
According to Global Face Human Resource Director Festus Omwamba, the senator approached him and four other agencies in February to facilitate the recruitment of 600 youth.
“I explained to her that the process might take long, but she got frustrated ... My agency took 38 of the youth, and I have refunded the Sh15,000 they paid as medical test fees,” he said.
CS Mutua also claimed that Orwoba’s actions changed after her involvement in the process failed to yield the results she expected.
“She began a smear campaign against the ministry,” he said. He asked the senator to provide proof of job seekers who were not refunded.
Senator Orwoba, however, dismissed the claims and accused both the ministry and agencies of attempting to divert attention.
“Let us not personalise this matter but listen to the victims. It is not only about the 89 youth from Bobasi but Kenyans who have been conned by rogue recruitment agencies,” she said.
She also questioned how Kenyans could be sent to countries like Iraq, where others are being rescued from, and said she expected Mutua to present clear proof that the programme was working.
In response, Mutua assured the committee that efforts were ongoing to remove rogue players from the system and ensure that job seekers are no longer misled.
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