Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has denied claims that the government defrauded Kenyans through a foreign job placement programme, instead attributing delays in deployment to logistical and administrative hurdles.
Speaking before the Senate Labour Committee on Tuesday, Mutua defended the embattled initiative that was meant to place Kenyans in jobs abroad, particularly in the Middle East. He acknowledged frustrations among applicants but maintained the process is ongoing and transparent.
“The deployment of migrant workers involves registration, medical examinations, and coordination with employers abroad. These stages take time and may cause delays,” said Mutua, while assuring the committee that a list of successfully placed candidates would be published.
The CS cited challenges such as incomplete documentation, insufficient funds for processing travel papers, failed medical tests, and candidates withdrawing mid-process. He insisted that those who backed out were refunded, contrary to claims made by alleged victims.
His remarks came amid growing public outcry and emotional testimonies from Kenyans who claimed they were conned by individuals posing as representatives of the Labour Ministry or licensed agencies. Victims reported paying between Sh15,000 and Sh55,000 for nonexistent jobs.
One victim, carpenter Godfrey Githae from Nyeri, moved the Senate committee to tears as he recalled borrowing Sh55,000 to secure a job in Iraq, only to receive nothing. Another applicant, Doreen Biyaki, said she paid Sh15,000 in cash for medical tests after being shortlisted for a driver’s job advertised by the Ministry, despite promises the process would be free.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, also appearing before the Senate, pledged government action against fraudulent agents, adding that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour were working to educate Kenyans on safe and legitimate job markets.
“Some countries are notorious for human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting. We must protect our people from falling victim,” Mudavadi said.
The government now plans a nationwide awareness campaign to inform job seekers about credible opportunities and warn them about high-risk regions and deceptive agents.
