Confusion, pain as 'Kazi Majuu' lands hundreds of youth in financial burden

Months after applying for jobs abroad under the government’s 'Kazi Majuu' initiative, the loans borrowed from the Youth Fund have matured, and deductions have been initiated in applicants' bank accounts, yet they are still waiting to secure the promised employment.

Some who resigned from their jobs in the country to prepare for positions abroad have been left stranded, turning into casual labourers.

The more than 700 youths from Coast and Nairobi who applied for the loans in May say they were told that repayments would start three months after deployment at Sh33,000 per month. To secure the loans, one of the requirements is that the youth, aged between 18 and 34 years old, should have a confirmed job abroad through a registered recruitment agency.

Ms Diana Tungu, one of the applicants, said they were issued with job offer letters in May, but to date, the agencies through which they applied have not actualised the offers.

"We went for an interview at Nita (National Industrial Training Authority) in May this year, we were issued with offer letters and told to prepare because we will be leaving the country in three months. Some of us quit their jobs to prepare but since my job did not require a notice to resign, I chose to continue working until my visa comes," she said.

Ms Tungu says their phone calls and texts to the agency that recruited them now go unanswered.

“I work as a waitress and earn a salary of Sh25,000. But now for the past two months Sh18,000 has been deducted from my salary, yet I have not even boarded a plane,” said Ms Tungu.

She now wants the government to stop these deductions and return her passport, which is held by the employment agency, so that she can explore other opportunities. Ms Tungu added that, despite being keen and applying through agencies that have been cleared by the National Employment Authority (NEA), they still feel duped.

The Kazi Majuu initiative was launched in June 2023 by the Kenya Kwanza government to secure overseas jobs for Kenyan youth. A nationwide recruitment drive followed in November 2024, widely advertised as a gateway to professional employment abroad.

Many participants took loans from the Youth Fund to cover travel and initial expenses, believing it was an investment in their future.

Some of the expenses to be covered by the loan include passport application fees, visa fees, air tickets, required medical examinations and vaccinations, professional certification exams and pre-departure training. These requirements are handled by the respective agencies in the country that charge the applicants.

“I took the loan because I trusted the programme. Now I feel trapped. I have no job here, no job abroad,” said Ms Saada, another applicant.

When Nation contacted Zawadi Agency, one of the recruitment firms mentioned by the complainants, a representative identifying himself as Mr Ken confirmed holding over 100 applicants’ passports. He said the agency is still working to secure placements, but could not give a definite travel date.

“Yes, we have the passports. We are still liaising with employers abroad and trying to finalise placements. We understand the frustrations, but we cannot confirm when they will travel. We ask for patience,” he said.

The youths are appealing to the government to halt the standing order that is deducting money monthly from their bank accounts immediately and return their passports. Amid the delays, some applicants have said they are being offered low-cadre jobs compared to what they had initially signed for.

Ms Saada Hafidh, a university graduate, said she had applied and was even interviewed for an office assistant job, but was shocked to be told to take up a job as a cleaner.

"There are many discrepancies. When we applied, we were told that professional jobs were available, but now we are told only low-pay jobs such as cleaners, walkers, warehouse attendants, security workers and waitresses are available," she said.

More work hours 

The applicants also complained of increased working hours. "In the first offer letter, it was indicated that we were to work for seven hours a day and the salary was 1,700 United Arab Emirates Dirhams (about Sh60,000) but in the second we have 14 hours and the pay is 1,050 AED (Sh37,000)," said another applicant.

In Kilifi, hundreds of youth complained that agencies are demanding additional amounts. Those who spoke in confidence for fear of being victimised said they were shocked by the extra mandatory fee even after the Sh200,000 from the Youth Fund was wired into agents' accounts to facilitate the process.

“We thought we were done with the process, and what was left was for us to get our visa and go for the jobs and start to earn a living,” one of them stated.

The first agent asked the youth to pay Sh14,000, and the second one demanded Sh18,700. A consent form from a director of one of the agencies dated July 25, 2025, issued to all Youth Fund Kilifi beneficiaries, stated that each applicant was now required to contribute an additional Sh14,000 from their own resources to fully meet the current financial requirement.

“Kindly note that the top-up is mandatory for the continuation of the process. Applicants unable or unwilling to raise the additional amount will have their Sh180,000 returned to Youth Fund and unfortunately, their application process will be discontinued,” the document seen by Nation stated.

The Youth Fund, which provided loans to participants, has yet to issue a public statement on the deductions.

However, an official at the agency in Mombasa who requested anonymity for lack of authority to comment said a number of applicants had reached out and been advised on what to do as the delays are sorted out.

The official said all candidates who were yet to travel had been advised to reschedule their standing orders to avoid unnecessary deductions.

“We instructed applicants to set up standing orders before the loans were disbursed. Our part was to release the funds. If a standing order fails, the bank applies a Sh500 penalty, that is standard,” the official said, adding that some of the applicants have not restructured their standing orders as advised.

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The official dismissed claims that banks were deducting “half salaries” from the youths, saying such deductions were not possible under standing order rules.

“If someone is supposed to pay Sh30,000, the bank cannot deduct less. If the bank wanted to take money, it would deduct the full amount agreed on, not half of it,” they added. Those with concerns were urged to lodge formal complaints for guidance.

“They should get bank statements to prove any deductions. In most cases, the money has not been sent to us. Where errors occurred, we have already written to the head office to rectify and advised youths to reschedule their standing orders,” the official stated.

Applicants were further informed that if their travel plans collapse, the recruiting agency, not the youths, is responsible for refunds. “There are procedures to follow. We cannot just wake up and ambush anyone. Everything must follow the laid-down process," the official said.

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Additional reporting by Maureen Ongala