Exclusive: Shocking Revelations! Kenya’s Recruitment Chaos Exposed: 400+ Agencies Flout Laws, NEA Permit Scandal Unveiled by Hubzmedia!

An investigative report by Hubzmedia has uncovered a troubling reality within Kenya’s recruitment agency landscape overseen by the National Employment Authority (NEA).

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Out of the 1029 agencies registered with the NEA, more than 400 are presently operating without valid permits, signaling a significant regulatory breach.

The probe revealed a concentration of irregularities particularly in Eldoret, where numerous agencies are operating unlawfully or relying on expired permits issued by the NEA.

A targeted examination conducted by Hubzmedia on key foreign and local recruitment agencies in Nairobi and Eldoret highlighted several concerning findings. Notably, Novice Global Limited  Eldoret, is conspicuously absent from NEA’s NEAMIS (National Employment Authority Integrated Management System), indicating non-registration. Similarly, SYDD Travel, Transpin Travel Agency, and Oval Recruitment Agency Eldoret were found to be operating without proper registration. Furthermore, Herper’s Management Limited, Kelmus Recruitment International Agency, and Bluewave International Services  all popular foreign and local recruitment agencies were identified as utilizing expired permits, raising significant regulatory concerns.

To authenticate the legitimacy of a recruitment agency; https://neaims.go.ke/EmploymentAgencylist.aspx

Hubzmedia’s investigation also extends to Eldoret’s recruitment agency landscape, revealing a prevalence of illegitimate operations. The recently raided Oval Recruitment Agency Eldoret, for instance, was found to be operating without registration. This observation was corroborated by Hon. Saimon Nganga, Vice Chair of the Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee of the National Assembly, who emphasized the need for decisive action to safeguard Kenyan interests. He noted, “Many agencies across the country are not registered with NEA. This means action has to be taken to protect the interests of Kenyans, many of whom are losing their hard-earned money to unscrupulous recruitment agencies not duly registered as per the law.”

Mr. Saimon Mwaniki, Spokesperson for Oval Recruitment Agency, asserts that the agency has successfully facilitated 200 employment placements for Kenyans in Turkey. However, he acknowledges encountering difficulties in renewing their permit with the National Employment Authority (NEA). Notably, a search on NEA’s NEAMIS platform reveals a lack of clear registration details for the company, raising questions about its compliance status

Kimutai Kirui, a notable human rights advocate located in Eldoret, emphasized the lack of enforcement by the National Employment Authority (NEA) and the Ministry of Labour in shutting down unregistered recruitment agencies. He urged county governments to conduct thorough due diligence on such agencies before granting operating licenses. Kirui further asserted that many recruitment agencies enjoy protection from politicians with vested interests .

Hubzmedia’s findings also shed light on the modus operandi of these agencies, often housed in nondescript buildings in Eldoret, capitalizing on the vulnerability of job-seeking individuals who, in desperation, sell off their assets to secure promised employment opportunities abroad.

Amidst a recent recruitment scandal, Joshua Lagat, hailing from Nandi County, recounts a distressing experience involving Novice Global, situated at Daima Towers in Eldoret. He recalls depositing 1.5 million shillings with the agency, aiming to secure overseas employment opportunities for his three sons. Reflecting on the ordeal, Lagat laments, “I sold a property to secure my sons’ opportunities to work abroad. It’s painful to realize I’ve been conned of my money and my land is gone.”

Similarly, Simon Cheruiyot, a resident of Ziwa and one among over 300 individuals duped by the aforementioned agency, shares a parallel narrative. Cheruiyot recounts how his father sold a portion of their land to cover travel expenses, only to face disillusionment. “I persuaded my father to sell and give me my portion of inheritance, hoping to work abroad and make enough money to buy myself land and help my siblings,” he expressed, revealing the emotional and financial toll of the deception.

The plight of Eldoret’s youth, lured by promises of overseas employment, underscores the urgency of addressing regulatory loopholes and protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation by unregistered and unscrupulous recruitment agencies.