Government Cracks Down on Fraudulent Labour Recruitment Agencies, 390 Cases Under Investigation
The government has intensified its crackdown on fraudulent labour recruitment agencies and individuals involved in illegal labour mobility, with 390 cases currently under investigation, Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Alfred Mutua has announced.
Speaking during a press briefing, CS Mutua said the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, in collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), formed a multi-agency task force on July 15, 2026 to investigate fraud in the labour mobility programme and address complaints from victims.
So far, 190 victims have appeared before the task force to record statements and detail how they were swindled by fake travel and recruitment agents. Out of the 390 cases under review, 15 investigation files have been forwarded to the DPP, while others are at various stages of scrutiny.
CS Mutua explained that fraud investigations are complex and time-consuming, as investigators must obtain court orders to access bank records, verify documents and conduct forensic analysis before cases can stand in court. “The DCI cannot just arrest people or access their bank accounts without judicial approval. That process takes time, which explains why only 15 cases have been completed so far,” he said.
Of the cases under investigation, 106 involve travel agencies, many of which are not registered with the National Employment Authority (NEA) or the Business Registration Service. Some of the entities, he noted, do not exist in any official records and operate using fake posters and cash payments to defraud unsuspecting job seekers.
CS Mutua recounted a case of a pregnant woman who lost Sh1.1 million to a company that promised her a job in Canada, only for investigators to discover that the company was not registered anywhere in Kenya.
The Cabinet Secretary also revealed that some victims have opted to pursue refunds through the Small Claims Court instead of criminal prosecution. In two such cases, complainants successfully recovered their money and the cases were closed.
Several suspects are already facing charges in court, including individuals accused of obtaining money by false pretence, while more cases are expected to be filed as investigations progress.
However, CS Mutua raised concern over companies that rush to court to obtain conservatory orders blocking their arrest or investigation. He cited several agencies that have secured such orders, expressing hope that the courts would lift them to allow investigations to proceed.
In another development, the DCI is investigating the alleged misuse of Youth Fund money by recruitment agencies contracted to send young people to Dubai. While one company successfully facilitated travel for some beneficiaries, others failed to account for the funds. The DCI has since issued summons to two individuals suspected of vanishing with Sh18 million belonging to the government.
Labour CS says DCI is hunting the two individuals believed to be couples who vanished with 18million from the Youth Fund that was meant to help youths secure jobs abroad, urging them to surrender.
“The Youth Fund has given money to organizations and many organizations have sent people overseas. But there is a case that the DCI is currently investigating where by an agency calls Zawadi jobs abroad limited, Gloriven International and Taushi tours and Travels, who were given monies to take people to Dubai.Out of that, Zawadi jobs abroad limited was able to take some people to Dubai, but then Glorivan International and Taushi tours are travels have not been able to show us where the money went, and therefore the DCI have issued summons to the following individuals who happened to be a husband and wife who, between them, are holding 18 million shillings belonging to the government of Kenya through the youth fund, which they have vanished with, and which young people are waiting to be taken overseas, and that is government money, and so if you see them, tell them that they have summons, they need to report to the DCI,”Said the CS.
The Cabinet Secretary urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and avoid unscrupulous recruiters, warning that offers that sound too good to be true are often scams. He advised job seekers to verify all overseas job opportunities through the National Employment Authority website, deal only with registered companies, and avoid making payments to individuals.
“Do not pay money to personal phone numbers or individual bank accounts. Always pay through registered company accounts or verified pay bills, and visit the company offices before committing any money,” he said.
CS Mutua further warned Kenyans against travelling on tourist or visitor visas for employment, stressing that only employment visas are legal and traceable. He noted that a verification desk at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport checks all travellers leaving for overseas jobs to prevent trafficking and exploitation.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring justice for victims, saying, “As the Minister for Labour and Social Protection, I will ensure that anyone who has been conned receives justice.”
