The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has published a list of recruitment agencies that are not registered with the National Employment Authority (NEA) and warned Kenyans against transacting with them.
In a public notice on Thursday, October 3, Labour CS Alfred Mutua said the agencies are not authorized to conduct recruitment activities for both local and international labour markets.
Additionally, the CS urged job seekers and the general public at large to do due diligence before engaging any recruitment agency.
"We wish to inform the general public and jobseekers that the following private employment agencies are not registered by the Authority and are, therefore, not authorised to undertake any recruitment activities for local or foreign labour markets," the notice read in part.
The flagged agencies include Gulfway Recruitment Company Ltd, Royal Capital Placement Ltd, Geoverah Agency Ltd, First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Ltd and Daawo Holdings Ltd.
Others are Makungu International Ltd, Talent Getaway Ltd, Royal Capital Placement Ltd, Jakarta Ventures Ltd, Skill Dove Ltd, Gifted Minds Tours Travel Ltd and Tangofox Ltd.
Alemtyaz Travel Agent Ltd, Rhodevo International Ltd, Flexturch Recruitment Ltd, Omran Aly Agencies Ltd, Alsari International Ltd, Leisamis Recruitment Ltd and Skyward Global Dimensions Ltd were also flagged.
Other recruitment agencies not registered with NEA are Kalezon Limited, Abamwe Investments Ltd, Masterminds Ventures Limited, Broadlink Travels Agency Limited, Arshad Agency Limited and Kistamu Agency Limited.
This comes two weeks after Mutua announced new regulations to improve the recruitment and deployment of Kenyans seeking jobs abroad.
These measures, effective September 23, include a new registration system for employment agencies, requiring an initial fee of Ksh 500,000 for a one-year certificate.
Renewals will be extended to two years at the same cost, or Ksh 250,000 annually.
Mutua said the reforms aim to enhance compliance and protect job seekers from exploitation by rogue agencies.
“I am pleased to announce a series of critical reforms aimed at streamlining the recruitment and deployment process for Kenyans seeking employment abroad.
"These reforms are the result of extensive consultations with key stakeholders and are designed to enhance the efficiency and integrity of our labour migration system," he said.
NEA will oversee rigorous vetting processes, and pre-departure training will be streamlined to better prepare workers for overseas employment.
“The raft of measures is expected to streamline labour mobility for Kenyan citizens aligning with the government’s ambition to facilitate the deployment of between 5,000 to 10,000 Kenyans to work abroad each week," Mutua added.
