The government has pledged to take firm action against rogue recruitment agents conning citizens with fake promises of jobs abroad, especially in the Middle East. Speaking before the Senate National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi acknowledged the growing number of Kenyans falling prey to fraudulent schemes, often at the hands of agents operating under the guise of official government-backed programmes.
Mudavadi warned that some of the destination countries are notorious for rampant human trafficking, with victims at times facing grave dangers, including organ harvesting. Without naming specific countries, he urged caution and vigilance among job seekers.
In response to the crisis, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour have been tasked with sensitising the public and providing guidance on legitimate job opportunities abroad. Mudavadi assured the Senate that these ministries will actively inform Kenyans on safe labour migration pathways and regions to avoid.
His remarks follow a Senate petition by victims of a Middle East job scam who claimed to have lost millions of shillings in what they believed was a genuine, government-endorsed programme. The victims said the fraudulent recruitment process appeared to be sanctioned by the Ministry of Labour and the National Employment Authority (NEA), which lent it false legitimacy.
Amidst mounting outrage, the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee has summoned Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua and NEA officials to appear before it next week to explain their roles in the scandal.
Mudavadi also admitted that his ministry has no budget allocation to offer legal aid to Kenyans imprisoned abroad, many of whom are languishing in foreign jails for various offences. He urged citizens to respect local laws while abroad to avoid facing harsh penalties.
Shifting to regional diplomacy, Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to peace and neutrality in conflict mediation efforts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He refuted claims that Kenya harbours ulterior motives, saying the country’s long-standing policy is non-interference in internal matters of other states.
This followed Senator Edwin Sifuna’s sharp inquiry into Kenya’s role in hosting meetings involving Sudan’s RSF and Congo’s M23 rebel factions, incidents that have sparked diplomatic spats with both nations. Mudavadi promised transparency but stood firm that dialogue remains Kenya’s tool for regional stability.
Separately, Mudavadi was drawn into clarifying confusion over President William Ruto’s recent visit to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis. Contrary to rumours suggesting the President had skipped the event and delegated the duty, Mudavadi stated that Ruto had concluded his China engagements in time and did attend the funeral, a matter that had stirred social media speculation.
Senator Fatuma Dullo concluded the session by urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to compile a list of countries where Kenyan officials might face entry challenges, citing an incident where Sifuna was deported upon arrival in Angola.
