An explosive scandal has emerged in Kenya, where over 300 young jobseekers have fallen victim to a fraudulent overseas employment scheme endorsed and overseen by government bodies, leaving many financially ruined and emotionally devastated.
Testimonies presented before the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee last week revealed the scale of deception that saw desperate youth pay between Ksh 15,000 and Ksh 55,000 for non-existent job opportunities in the Middle East, specifically Iraq. The recruitment drive, launched in 2024, was advertised and reportedly supervised by the Ministry of Labour and the National Employment Authority (NEA), lending it an air of legitimacy that convinced many it was a golden opportunity.
One victim, Godfrey Githae, a carpenter from Nyeri, recounted how he borrowed money from his wife and in-laws to raise Ksh 55,000, the amount he was told was needed for medical tests and travel documents. “I was asked to pay Ksh 15,000 for medicals and another Ksh 40,000 for travel. I never received medical results or a visa. I’ve traveled to Nairobi eight times to follow up, each time spending Ksh 1,200 on fare,” Githae told the committee.
Other victims shared similar accounts, including Doreen Biyaki, a grader operator lured by a Ministry job advertisement. After paying the required medical fee, she and others grew suspicious when asked to submit cash instead of using formal payment channels. “We asked for a paybill number but were told to pay in cash. That raised eyebrows,” she said.
While some individuals have reportedly received partial refunds of Ksh 10,000, most are still chasing their dues months after the promised job placements failed. Shockingly, the fraudulent operation appears to have occurred under the watch of the Labour Ministry and NEA, institutions tasked with safeguarding jobseekers’ welfare. This apparent complicity or gross negligence fuels growing public outrage.
Senator Gloria Orwoba, who petitioned on behalf of the victims, expressed deep regret. “I traveled the country sensitizing youth to apply for these jobs. I believed it was legitimate because the Ministry of Labour was involved. Now, many of them come to me, embarrassed, jobless, and in debt.”
She revealed that some agencies involved in the scam have sued her for defamation, despite failing to provide jobs or issue refunds.
The scandal underscores the urgent need to reform how foreign employment opportunities are advertised and managed in Kenya. With high youth unemployment, the allure of overseas jobs can easily be exploited by unscrupulous individuals, especially when cloaked in government legitimacy. For now, the victims wait for justice, answers, and the restoration of their dignity.
