16 Fraudulent Recruitment Agencies Flagged in Eldoret Amid Crackdown on Job Scams

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“All job advertisements or demand letters must be approved by the Director General of the National Employment Authority,” the Ministry emphasized.

Victims who collectively lost over 140 million shillings to Novice Global

The State Department for Labour and Skills Development has flagged 16 unscrupulous recruitment agencies in Eldoret City amid an ongoing crackdown on fraudulent activities targeting job seekers.

These agencies have defrauded individuals out of millions of shillings by offering false promises of jobs abroad.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the Ministry, in collaboration with the National Employment Authority (NEA), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Police, revealed that these unethical recruitments are being carried out by agencies not registered with NEA, as required by law, as well as by online scammers. These entities have been exploiting vulnerable job seekers, preying on their desperation for employment opportunities overseas.

The Ministry has issued a strong warning to the public, urging Kenyans to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of job advertisements and offers. “All job advertisements or demand letters must be approved by the Director General of the National Employment Authority,” the Ministry emphasized.

Additionally, foreign employment contracts must be attested by designated Labour Officers at the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection before any air tickets are purchased. This attestation process is conducted online through the National Employment Authority’s website (NEAIMS.GO.KE), where all necessary documentation can be uploaded and downloaded.

The Ministry further reiterated that the government, through NEA, is responsible for registering and licensing private recruitment agencies authorized to place Kenyans in jobs abroad and link them with employers. The public can access a list of all registered Private Employment/Recruitment Agencies online at [NEAIMS Agency List](https://neaims.go.ke/EmploymentAgencyList.aspx). Agencies listed in black hold valid licenses, while those in red do not.

Through stringent vetting processes aimed at eliminating fraudulent agencies, the government has reduced the number of private recruitment agencies from over 1,000 to 500.

In addition to these measures, the County Government of Uasin Gishu has also pledged its commitment to the crackdown by promising not to issue licenses to unscrupulous agencies. This stance is part of broader efforts to protect job seekers and uphold ethical recruitment practices within the county.

Furthermore, the government has established a labor migration desk at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to ensure that all Kenyan migrant workers have complied with the necessary pre-departure procedures before leaving the country. This desk is designed to curb irregular migration, unethical recruitment practices, and human trafficking, ensuring safe, orderly, and legal labor migration for all Kenyans.

Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi reassured the public that law enforcement is fully committed to holding those responsible for these fraudulent activities accountable.

“We will ensure that all those behind these unscrupulous agencies face the full force of the law,” Mwanthi stated, underscoring the government’s determination to protect citizens from exploitation.

The Ministry has urged job seekers to utilize the resources provided by the National Employment Authority to verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies and job offers to avoid falling victim to scams.

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