The government has issued a warning to Kenyans over the activities of unlicensed entities allegedly recruiting job seekers for overseas employment, raising concerns about potential human trafficking.
In a statement, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu cautioned members of the public against engaging with two outfits identified as Triple K and Kenka Company, saying they are not licensed to recruit workers for diaspora jobs.
“It has come to our attention that these outfits Triple K and Kenka Company who are not licensed are trying to recruit people for diaspora jobs. Do not fall for this scam. You could be a victim of human trafficking,” Njogu said.
According to the Principal Secretary, recruitment fliers linked to the two entities are circulating widely on various WhatsApp groups, targeting Kenyans seeking employment opportunities abroad.
She urged job seekers to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies before making any commitments.
“These fliers are circulating on various WhatsApp groups,” she said, adding that unsuspecting job seekers risk exploitation if they deal with unlicensed agents.
Njogu emphasized that all diaspora job recruitment must be conducted through licensed agencies approved by the government.
She advised Kenyans to confirm the status of any recruitment agent through the National Employment Authority’s Integrated Management System (NEAIMS).
“Always confirm that you’re working with a licensed agent through http://neaims.go.ke,” she said.
The warning comes amid heightened government efforts to curb fraudulent recruitment schemes and protect Kenyan migrant workers from abuse and exploitation abroad.
Authorities have in recent years raised concerns over rising cases of Kenyans being lured into fake overseas jobs, only to face forced labour, abuse or abandonment in foreign countries.
Njogu said the government is taking action against individuals and entities involved in illegal recruitment activities.
“We are dealing with these ‘agents’,” she said, without disclosing further details.
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has repeatedly urged Kenyans seeking employment abroad to rely only on officially sanctioned channels and to report suspected cases of fraud to the relevant authorities.
The government says it remains committed to safeguarding the welfare, rights and dignity of Kenyans working or seeking work outside the country.
This comes at the backdrop of several reported cases of Kenyans falling victims of non-existent jobs in the United Arab Emirates, Asia and Russia among other places.
In Asia, many have ended up in rebel-controlled areas of Myanmar, where they end up working as online scammers.
In Russia, many Kenyans have been forcefully recruited into the Russian army and sent to the front lines to fight against Ukraine.
