Kenya’s job market is facing a growing crisis as unscrupulous recruitment agencies exploit desperate job seekers with promises of lucrative overseas employment opportunities.
Despite recent assurances from Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, many Kenyans have fallen victim to elaborate scams, losing substantial sums of money in the process. The situation reached a boiling point on Wednesday, September 25, when a group of disgruntled job seekers stormed the Nairobi offices of one such agency. They alleged that the promised overseas positions had failed to materialize, leaving them financially devastated. Upon arrival, they found the agency’s doors firmly shut, with complaints mounting by the minute. Suspicions of high-level involvement arose due to the agency’s purported connections to government officials. Victims report a variety of tactics employed by these fraudulent agencies.
One individual, who lost 120,000 Kenyan shillings, describes being asked to recruit another person willing to pay the same amount to secure a refund. Recognizing the scheme for what it was, she refused and was subsequently cut off from all communication with the agency. For some, the ordeal extends beyond financial loss. Those who paid substantial fees for work visas found themselves with visitor visas instead, leaving them stranded abroad without support. One such victim, who invested nearly 500,000 Kenyan shillings, was promised assistance from an immigration lawyer upon arrival in the UK. However, this promise proved hollow, leaving her to rely on relatives for shelter.
The agencies’ recruitment strategies often involve slick social media campaigns on platforms like TikTok and Facebook. These advertisements showcase enticing job opportunities in countries such as Canada, Germany, and Qatar. Desperate for employment, many Kenyans are lured into paying facilitation fees ranging from 120,000 to 140,000 Kenyan shillings. In return, they are assigned ‘consultants’ who supposedly handle visa applications. However, communication often becomes sparse after payment, with applicants eventually informed of visa rejections. As frustration mounts, some victims are coerced into perpetuating the cycle by recruiting new applicants to recover their losses. This moral dilemma has torn many apart, with some refusing to participate while others, fearing permanent financial loss, reluctantly comply.
The result is a vicious cycle that has ensnared hundreds of Kenyans, leaving many in dire financial straits. Attempts to seek justice have proven challenging. While some victims have filed reports at the Central Police Station, the sheer number of those affected and the agency’s apparent disappearance have made resolution elusive. The issue of fraudulent recruitment agencies is not new to Kenya. Recent years have seen a surge in such scams, with agencies exploiting job seekers’ desperation. These operations often masquerade as legitimate businesses, enticing victims with promises of well-paying jobs in countries like Canada, Australia, and the Middle East. One such agency, WorthStart Africa, has come under scrutiny for allegedly defrauding Kenyans of millions of shillings. The company targets vulnerable individuals through radio and television advertisements, promising dream jobs in hospitality and caregiving.
However, after paying exorbitant fees, job seekers often receive poorly drafted visa applications and fabricated financial statements, resulting in mass rejections and five-year visa bans from the targeted countries. The prevalence of these fraudulent practices exposes significant gaps in Kenya’s regulatory framework. The National Employment Authority (NEA), responsible for overseeing and accrediting recruitment agencies, faces accusations of being influenced by corrupt entities. Moreover, unregistered and unlicensed agencies continue to operate with impunity. In response to these challenges, there are growing calls for the government to take decisive action. Additionally, President Ruto’s government is expected to implement stricter regulations and enforce penalties for non-compliance to deter fraudulent practices.
Job seekers are advised to exercise caution when engaging with recruitment agencies. Verifying an agency’s legitimacy, consulting established government bodies, and seeking recommendations are essential steps in identifying reputable organizations. To address these concerns, the NEA launched the National Employment Authority Integrated Management System (NEAIMS) in January, aiming to help Kenyans more easily identify and verify legitimate recruitment agencies, both domestic and international.
