Kenya has warned its citizens against job scams abroad, a persistent problem that threatens to derail the government's bid to export labour and tackle massive local unemployment.
The latest warning came after an alleged recruitment drive targeting Kenyans for lucrative jobs in South Korea was flagged by the government.
In a statement dated May 8, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Kathure Njogu, denied the government's involvement in the alleged recruitment drive, which has been described as fraudulent.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said an increasing number of Kenyans have fallen victim to irregular migration papers after being duped into non-existent opportunities abroad.
The PS said that the fraudulent job advertisements were for positions at "Rural Plus Centres" in several counties in South Korea's Jeollanam-do province, including Haenam, Wando, Jindo, Yeongam and Jangheung.
However, a joint follow-up by the government, the Kenyan Embassy in Seoul and South Korean authorities confirmed that the job offers were fake and did not exist.
“In line with our mandate to safeguard Kenyans abroad, we carried out thorough checks with the Kenyan Embassy in Seoul and South Korean counterparts. The alleged jobs were found to be non-existent,” said PS Njogu.
She added that the companies mentioned in the advertisements had denied any affiliation with Kenyan recruitment or employment efforts and disavowed any partnerships with local agencies.
The government has since warned Kenyans against engaging with unverified individuals or agencies promising employment overseas, particularly in South Korea.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged job seekers to verify all opportunities through official ministry channels or directly through the Kenyan Embassy in Seoul.
"We strongly advise all Kenyans to avoid engaging with any agencies or individuals offering jobs in South Korea without proper verification. These offers are fraudulent and may expose you to financial loss, exploitation, human trafficking, or other serious risks. Please exercise extreme caution if you encounter such advertisements or opportunities,” she said.
On Tuesday, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua addressed the Senate on the broader issue of overseas employment. The CS clarified that while the government assists Kenyans in finding international jobs, it does not directly offer employment.
Dr Mutua noted that some qualified individuals remain in Kenya for various personal or logistical reasons, including lack of travel funds, failure to meet medical requirements or change of mind about relocation.
Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Dr Alfred Mutua speaks during a press briefing at the NSSF Building, Upper Hill in Nairobi on April 23, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
The government reiterated its commitment to protecting citizens seeking opportunities abroad and urged vigilance to avoid falling prey to employment scams.
In recent events, embassies in countries such as Thailand and Malaysia have warned Kenyans against travelling without checking with the authorities.
In Thailand in particular, the Kenyan embassy in Bangkok has repeatedly warned of a growing number of Kenyans being trafficked via Thailand to Myanmar and Laos after being lured into fake jobs as teachers or translators.
In April, 78 Kenyans who were rescued from human trafficking rings in Myanmar returned home after weeks of captivity in scam compounds following a successful repatriation effort spearheaded by the Kenyan Embassy in Thailand.
Some of the returnees recounted harrowing experiences, including torture and forced labour. They claimed they were beaten and abused whenever they failed to meet the demands of their captors.
Multinational victims of scam centres, who were trafficked into working in Myanmar and were sent to Thailand, wait for their embassies to pick them up, in Tak province, Thailand February 19, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
The latest rescue comes just weeks after another group of 48 Kenyans was repatriated from the Thailand–Myanmar border, bringing the total number of rescued victims to over 120.
In recent years, Kenya has seen a surge in fraudulent recruitment agencies taking advantage of the country's high unemployment rate and a young population eager to seek better opportunities abroad.
Often posing as legitimate recruitment agencies, these agencies lure victims with flashy advertisements on social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, offering jobs in countries such as Canada, Germany and Qatar. The agencies even provide fake documents and assign victims to "consultants" who will help them apply for visas.
But once payment has been made, communication stops. In some cases, victims are given visitor visas instead of work permits, leaving them stranded abroad with no way to earn a living.
