The Kenyan government has formed a multi-agency taskforce to tackle the growing menace of fraudulent foreign job recruitment schemes. The new team, unveiled on Tuesday by Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, will investigate and prosecute individuals and agencies involved in scamming job seekers with fake overseas employment promises.
Speaking after a high-level meeting at the NSSF Building, Mutua described the fraudulent job recruitment schemes as a “criminal enterprise” that threatens Kenya’s progress in promoting safe and legal labour migration. The meeting brought together senior officials including Labour PS Shadrack Mwadime, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, DPP Renson Ingonga, DCI Director Mohammed Amin, and NEA Director General Edith Okoki.
“We deliberated on coordinated strategies to decisively deal with this criminal enterprise,” Mutua said. “We will not allow criminals to sabotage our labour migration strategy.”
The newly formed taskforce includes representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Office of the Attorney General, DCI, ODPP, Asset Recovery Agency, Financial Reporting Centre, Directorate of Immigration, and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, among others.
A centralised One-Stop Centre has been set up at the NSSF Building, Block C, 7th Floor. Starting Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the centre will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for victims to report cases, submit evidence, and seek redress.
Mutua emphasized that perpetrators will be held individually accountable, stating, “Companies are registered by people. We will not allow anyone to hide behind company names.”
The CS also urged affected individuals to present documentation, including proof of payments and communication with fraudulent agents. Victims can begin reporting their cases at the centre from Thursday, July 17.
The taskforce will collaborate closely with the Judiciary to expedite labour fraud cases, aiming to eliminate delays that allow suspects to escape justice.
“This mission cannot be derailed by con artists,” Mutua said. “We are determined to protect the integrity of our labour migration programmes and the dignity of Kenyan workers.”
