BEWARE: Govt Blacklists 32 Fake Recruitment Agencies

The Kenyan government has officially released the names of 32 blacklisted recruitment agencies that citizens should avoid when seeking overseas employment opportunities.

This announcement comes amid growing concerns over fraudulent practices that have left thousands of desperate job seekers defrauded of millions of shillings.

In a significant development, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has initiated investigations into 153 unscrupulous agencies with intentions to prosecute them for various violations, primarily operating without proper registration or with expired licenses.

List of Shame

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua, appearing before the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on Tuesday, revealed the complete list of deregistered and blacklisted firms:

1. Gulfway Recruitment Company Limited
2. Royal Capital Placement Limited
3. Geoverah Agency Limited
4. First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Limited
5. Daawo Holdings Limited
6. Makungu International Limited
7. Talent Getaway Limited
8. Jakarta Ventures Limited
9. Skill Dove Limited
10. Gifted Minds Tours Travel Limited
11. Tangofox Limited
12. Alemtyaz Travel Agent Limited
13. Rhodevo International Limited
14. Flexturch Recruitment Limited
15. Omran Aly Agencies Limited
16. Alsari International
17. Leisamis Recruiters
18. Skyward Global Dimensions Limited
19. Kalezon Limited
20. Abamwe Investments Limited
21. Mastermind Ventures Limited
22. Broadlink Travels Agency Limited
23. Kistamu Agency Limited
24. Global Career Crew Listings
25. Mega Recruitment Limited
26. Novice Global Consultancy Limited
27. Mowasalat Mapower Limited
28. Vintmark Travel Agency Limited
29. Trustpin Verified Agency Limited
30. Man and Swa Recruitment Palace

The Senate committee, chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, is investigating allegations of widespread fraud in which thousands of Kenyan youth were allegedly conned through a botched government-backed overseas job export program.

Political Drama Unfolds

The committee meeting nearly descended into chaos when CS Mutua and nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba clashed, with each accusing the other of spreading misinformation about the overseas employment initiative.

In a surprising turn of events, Global Face Human Resource Limited Director Festus Omwamba alleged that Senator Orwoba had approached his agency and four others on February 11, 2025, requesting the recruitment of approximately 600 youth from Bobasi Constituency as part of the government program.

“She overpromised the youth as she wants to vie as Bobasi MP. She even went to the ground and made posters of partnering with the National Employment Authority (NEA) to secure jobs for her constituents abroad, yet she did not understand the recruitment process,” Omwamba told the committee.

Senator Orwoba.

CS Mutua corroborated this claim, asserting that Senator Orwoba had been “acting as a recruiting agent” and initiated a smear campaign against the ministry when the process did not proceed according to her expectations. The CS further challenged the senator to provide evidence of job seekers who had paid fees but had not received refunds.

According to the CS, 89 youth from Bobasi were shortlisted during a recruitment drive across eight wards in the constituency, which was allegedly “organized and coordinated” by Senator Orwoba’s office. Of these, only 56 candidates passed the pre-screening tests for driver positions, with 52 proceeding to take initial medical tests.

Senator Defends Her Position

Senator Orwoba vehemently denied these allegations, accusing the minister and the agencies of attempting to tarnish her reputation. She insisted that her interest in the inquiry was to expose how thousands of unsuspecting Kenyan youth had lost their money through the job scam, which she claimed was supported by the Labour Ministry.

“Let us not personalize this matter but listen to the victims. It is not only about the 89 youth from Bobasi but Kenyans who have been conned by rogue recruitment agencies,” Senator Orwoba stated. She expressed concern over how Kenyans could be taken to countries like Iraq when others were simultaneously seeking to be rescued from the same nation.

“I am being threatened with removal from office as a senator because I am doing my work. We are playing with Kenyans’ lives. Kenyans are committing suicide, and we want to know whether the National Employment Authority is safeguarding Kenyans from this drama,” she added.

NEA’s Clarification

National Employment Authority (NEA) Director-General Edith Okoki informed the committee that Senator Orwoba had indeed overseen the exercise in Bobasi, with NEA officers having minimal involvement beyond registering the recruits.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka raised concerns about the welfare of Kenyans abroad, noting that he was aware of more than 160 Kenyans in Yemen and Qatar who had reported mistreatment by recruitment agencies. He emphasized the importance of CS Mutua clearly outlining measures being taken to ensure the safety of Kenyans working overseas.

CS Mutua defended his record, stating that since assuming office, he has been working diligently to clean up the system to protect innocent Kenyans from fraudulent schemes. He expressed frustration at being associated with criminal activities despite his reform efforts.

The revelations come at a time when many Kenyan youth, faced with limited local employment opportunities, are increasingly turning to overseas jobs, making them vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous agencies.

Experts advise job seekers to verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies through the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection before making any payments or commitments. The ministry maintains an updated list of licensed agencies on its official website.

The Senate investigation continues as authorities work to bring perpetrators to justice and implement stronger regulatory measures to protect job seekers from falling victim to similar scams in the future.