Cs Mutua Leads Labour Ministry Crackdown as Kazi Majuu Job Scams Shatter Youth Dreams
By Peace Muthoka.
NAIROBI,January 20, 2025 — For many young Kenyans, the promise of a job abroad has become a source of heartbreak. What began as hope for a better life ended in lost savings, broken trust and silent suffering. Now, the government says it is drawing a firm line against fake overseas job deals.
Mounting complaints over fraud in the labour mobility programme pushed the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection into action. Speaking at the NSSF Building, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said the problem runs deep, but investigations are finally closing in on those behind the scams.
The ministry has set up a multi-agency task force to hear victims and track down fraudsters. The team brings together the Attorney General’s office, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Since then, 390 cases linked to fake overseas jobs have been recorded. About 190 victims appeared before the task force to tell their stories. Many said they paid huge sums to agents who vanished soon after receiving the money.
“These are not simple cases,” Mutua said. “Fraud investigations are forensic. You must follow the law, seek court orders and collect evidence that can stand in court.”
So far, 15 files have been completed and sent to the ODPP. Several others remain under active investigation. Mutua said the process may look slow, but it is deliberate.
“We want convictions, not shortcuts,” he said.The investigations have exposed a disturbing trend. Out of all complaints, 106 involve travel or recruitment agencies. Some of these entities do not exist in any official records. They are not registered companies and are unknown to labour authorities.
“We found people responding to fake posters and giving cash to individuals,” Mutua said. “Some of these so-called agencies have no offices, no accounts and no trace.”
He shared emotional encounters with victims, including a pregnant woman who lost hundreds of thousands of shillings after trusting agents promising jobs in Canada.
“These are people feeding on desperation,” he said. “That is why we keep warning the public.”Even as cases move to court, Mutua raised concern over suspects seeking conservatory orders to block arrests or investigations.
“As a mwananchi, you ask yourself why someone would rush to court if they have nothing to hide,” he said. “We want the truth to come out.”
The probe has also widened to include public funds meant to support youth employment abroad. Some agencies received government money but failed to account for it or deliver jobs as agreed.
“That is taxpayers’ money,” Mutua said. “We need accountability, and we will recover it.”
Beyond investigations, the ministry is now focusing on prevention. Mutua urged job seekers and parents to verify every opportunity before paying anything.
“If a deal sounds too sweet, it is a lie,” he warned. “Do not give money to individuals. Use registered companies and confirm jobs through the National Employment Agency.”
He cautioned against sending money to personal phone numbers and urged payments through traceable company channels.
Mutua also warned against travelling on tourist visas in search of work. He said such moves expose young Kenyans to trafficking and abuse, while leaving the government powerless to help.
“Legitimate jobs use employment visas,” he said. “Anything else is a red flag.”The Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development echoed the concern, saying the human cost of the scams is heartbreaking.
“It is extremely sad to see young people conned while trying to earn an honest living,” he said. “They should not be paying recruitment fees from their pockets.”
He added that recruitment agencies should earn from employers, not job seekers. For young people, he said, costs should be limited to basics like passports and medical checks.
As investigations continue, the ministry says overseas job opportunities still exist, but caution is now essential. For desperate youth, shortcuts can be costly.“This culture of conning our people must stop,” Mutua said. “And it will stop.”
