The government has vowed to intensify a nationwide crackdown on unscrupulous overseas job recruitment agencies, in a renewed effort to protect Kenyan job seekers from fraud and exploitation.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony of 24 newly certified divers from the Kerio Valley at Bandari Maritime Academy, the Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, addressed mounting public concerns over fake job offers abroad and affirmed the government’s firm stance on cleansing the sector.
“We acknowledge the pain of our youth who have fallen prey to rogue agencies,” PS Mwadime stated. “While domestic job opportunities remain limited, there are viable prospects abroad — but these must be accessed through lawful and transparent channels.”
The PS confirmed that the government continues to deregister fraudulent agencies and warned Kenyans to be cautious before engaging with any recruiter. He advised job seekers to consult the National Employment Authority (NEA) website, where dubious agencies are flagged in red, and verified ones listed in black.
“This is about protecting livelihoods,” he said. “We cannot allow vulnerable youth to be exploited under the guise of opportunity. Every shilling handed over in good faith must be respected, and those who defraud Kenyans must face justice.”
His comments follow the recent release of a damning report by Amnesty International titled “Locked In, Left Out: The Hidden Lives of Kenyan Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia.” The report outlines harrowing experiences of over 70 women subjected to abuse and neglect while working in the Gulf nation — many of them recruited by unregulated intermediaries.
PS Mwadime reiterated that while the government plays a coordinating role, it does not operate its own recruitment agency for overseas jobs. “It’s crucial for Kenyans to understand: the government facilitates, but does not recruit directly. Employment abroad is a private sector process, and we are working to ensure that this sector operates with integrity.”
In his address to the graduates, he praised their resilience and encouraged them to remain ambassadors of professionalism and safety in international maritime sectors. “Today, you represent the potential of a better future. Let your skills speak not just for yourselves, but for Kenya.”
The government’s ongoing reforms in the labour export industry signal a larger strategy to align employment migration with human rights and regulatory compliance, even as it seeks to tap into global job markets for its increasingly skilled youth population.
As Kenya moves forward, the Ministry of Labour is expected to introduce stricter licensing and monitoring mechanisms for recruitment firms, and ensure closer collaboration with destination countries to prevent abuse, exploitation, and trafficking under the guise of employment.
