Kisumu:The government has issued a warning to Kenyans seeking employment abroad to be wary of fraudulent recruitment agencies that exploit job seekers by demanding money for non-existent job openings.
According to Kenya News Agency, Assistant Director of Skills and Expertise in the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Jennifer Wanami, emphasized the government’s efforts to enhance grassroots sensitization campaigns. These campaigns aim to help young people identify legitimate overseas employment opportunities and avoid falling prey to unscrupulous recruiters.
During a community engagement event at the Kisumu National Polytechnic, Wanami highlighted that some recruitment agents operate fictitious offices and demand money from unsuspecting job seekers before disappearing without securing them employment. She urged job seekers to verify recruitment agencies and employment offers before making financial commitments. The department can conduct due diligence in collaboration with Kenyan embassies, high commissions, and consulates abroad.
Wanami also cautioned young people against selling land and other valuable property to finance overseas employment without first establishing the legitimacy of the opportunity. She mentioned that the government is strengthening labor mobility pathways through bilateral labor agreements and strategic partnerships with foreign governments to connect Kenyans with employment opportunities, particularly in skilled professions.
Kenya has entered into labor cooperation arrangements with countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Germany to facilitate overseas employment and strengthen protections for migrant workers. The government is also working with institutions including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority, Kenya Commercial Bank, and Equity Bank, which offer products to support labor mobility.
Foreign Service Officer at the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Ann Kimani, advised prospective migrant workers to consult the National Employment Authority website to identify licensed recruitment agencies. Kimani noted that the department conducts pre-departure training to prepare successful applicants for life and work in their destination countries.
The Kisumu National Polytechnic Deputy Principal, Patricia Naliaka, expressed the institution’s commitment to equipping trainees with skills to compete for employment opportunities locally and internationally. She emphasized the importance of developing entrepreneurial skills among graduates to enable them to establish businesses and create employment opportunities in Kenya.
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs, established in 2022, aims to strengthen the government’s engagement with Kenyans living and working abroad. Its mandate includes protecting the welfare of Kenyans overseas, promoting diaspora investment, and facilitating access to international employment opportunities. Through the Kazi Majuu initiative, the government seeks to expand labor mobility by establishing partnerships with foreign governments and employers.
