At least 84 complaints have been filed with a government task force regarding suspected fraudulent recruitment schemes, which have resulted in Kenyans in 15 counties losing more than Sh17.3 million to fake agents promising employment abroad.
The Multi-Agency Labour Mobility Task Force was formed to address the increasing number of cases of fraudulent labour migration to countries such as Canada, Qatar, Australia and Germany. Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said that more victims are coming forward to file complaints.
"Most of the victims coming to us were promised lucrative jobs abroad only to be left devastated, broke, and in some cases, stranded without travel documents," he said in an interview with the Nation.
CS Mutua warned that rogue agencies and their accomplices would face arrest, prosecution and deregistration.
“We are deeply concerned by the growing number of cases where unscrupulous individuals pose as licensed recruitment agents, collect money, and vanish. Kenyans deserve safe, structured, and dignified paths to work abroad, and we will protect that right with all the tools at our disposal,” said Dr Mutua.
The task force includes Principal Secretary for Labour Shadrack Mwadime, DCI Director Mohamed Amin, and Mr Alloys Kemo, the secretary at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Dr Mutua announced that the government has set up a one-stop centre to handle complaints, coordinate investigations and speed up prosecutions.
The task force was formed in response to protests by over 100 youths from the Coast region who claimed they had been defrauded by a travel agency. The young people shared harrowing accounts of how they had been conned by a man named Mohammed Said, who is connected to the Aamaliyah Agency. Some had sold land, taken out loans or used their life savings for jobs that turned out to be fake.
“I paid Sh70,000 out of the Sh150,000 required to secure a forklift job for my younger brother. The agent promised to finalise the process after I cleared the balance, but he disappeared,” said Mr Abdul Muhsin.
He added that, when he demanded a refund, he was given a fake cheque. "The bank told me the account had no funds," he said.
Ms Saadia Gure, a mother of three, said that she paid Sh470,000 last year to help her son get a driving job in Dubai. Since then, she has received no updates, and the agent still holds her son’s passport and ID.
“He once told us to bring the boys to Mombasa, claiming they would travel that weekend. We did, but after we arrived, he went silent,” she recalled.
Mr Adnan Ali, who had hoped to work as a security guard overseas, said his family had borrowed Sh150,000 to meet the agency’s demands.
“We’re just trying to earn a living. We don’t want to engage in crime or drugs. But what do you do when even honest efforts end in betrayal?” he asked.
The victims reported the matter to the Central and Urban police stations in Mombasa, but no arrests have been made. Some allege that the suspect has boasted of being “well-connected and untouchable”.
Another victim, Aman Mkare, appealed to the government for justice. “We ask Labour CS Alfred Mutua to intervene. We want justice.”
In response, Dr Mutua said that the task force is reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses.
He urged victims to file official complaints supported by documents such as payment receipts and communication records.
He also warned that any agency not licensed by the National Employment Authority (NEA) or failing to advertise jobs on the official platform is operating illegally.
“Even if the agency is licensed, if the vacancy is not posted, that’s a red flag,” he cautioned.
The crackdown comes as the government works to streamline labour migration amid rising global demand for Kenyan workers.
Dr Mutua said that 50 to 100 Kenyans leave the country daily for verified jobs abroad, and that the government is committed to growing these opportunities while ensuring that fraudsters do not sabotage the sector.
“We are committed to eliminating cartels that exploit our youth. Those found culpable, including company directors and brokers, will be held personally accountable,” he said, adding that talks are ongoing with the Judiciary to fast-track labour fraud cases.
Public summonses have been issued to the individuals and companies listed in the complaint register, requiring them to appear before DCI officers from Monday. He added that non-compliance will result in legal action, including arrest, asset tracking and deregistration.
