The government is poised to tighten the noose on unlicensed recruitment agencies, signalling a robust crackdown aimed at curbing the rising tide of job scams that have seen countless Kenyans lose their money and, in more tragic cases, be lured into forced labour abroad.
During a lengthy and pointed session with employment agencies at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, August 21, Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Alfred Mutua, unveiled a series of stringent measures aimed at bringing rogue recruitment agencies to heel.
The government is set to raise fees and introduce stiffer penalties, including heavy fines, jail terms, and an outright ban on agencies caught operating without the necessary licences.
Mutua minced no words as he addressed the gathering, condemning the illegal and exploitative practices that have become all too common among some agencies.
"Confiscating the passports of Kenyan workers once they arrive abroad is not only illegal but also a gross violation of human rights," he stated emphatically. The crackdown, he added, is not just a matter of regulatory compliance but a moral imperative to protect vulnerable citizens from exploitation.
This firm stance follows Mutua's earlier vow to dismantle fraudulent recruitment operations on his very first day in office. The Labour Minister has wasted no time in signalling that under his watch, the government will take a zero-tolerance approach to agencies that prey on desperate job seekers with false promises of overseas employment. Among the most severe actions proposed is the seizure and auctioning of properties owned by agencies found guilty of scamming Kenyans.
The urgency of the situation was underscored by a recent investigation conducted by the National Employment Authority (NEA), which uncovered that over 400 out of the 1,029 registered recruitment agencies in Kenya are operating without valid permits. The situation is particularly dire in Eldoret, where a significant number of agencies are either unregistered or operating with expired licences, leaving job seekers at even greater risk.
Addressing the assembly of agency representatives, Mutua issued a stern ultimatum to all unlicensed employment agencies: "Pack up and leave Kenya within a week or face the full force of the law."
The CS’s resolute tone made it clear that the days of impunity for rogue agents are numbered. "Unlicensed agencies operating in secrecy are responsible for the suffering of many Kenyans who seek employment abroad, particularly in the Gulf. This cannot be allowed to continue," he warned.
While the crackdown on illegal operations was the central theme of the meeting, Mutua also acknowledged the importance of supporting legitimate agencies that play a crucial role in securing employment opportunities for Kenyan youth abroad. He assured these agencies that the government would be their ally in streamlining processes and improving regulatory frameworks.
The agencies, in turn, voiced their concerns about the NEA, their regulatory body, calling for reforms to ensure more predictable operations. Key among their demands was a reduction in the pre-departure training period for domestic workers and an expedited process for licence renewals.
Mutua responded positively, pledging to review the training programme and promising that the government would seek to sign more bilateral agreements to expand employment opportunities for Kenyans abroad.
Flanked by Principal Secretary for the State Department of Labour, Shadrack Mwadime, NEA Chair Vincent Kigen, and NEA Director General Edith Okoki, Mutua’s message was clear: the government is committed to reforming the recruitment sector, ensuring that only agencies operating within the law can continue their work.
Mutua's recent actions have resonated widely, particularly after he issued an ultimatum on August 9, demanding that illegal recruitment agencies shut down and exit the country within a week. "We will arrest those involved, lock them in jail, and seize their assets to compensate those who were conned," he declared, leaving no room for ambiguity about the government's resolve.
