The government has cautioned Kenyans seeking employment abroad against fraudulent recruitment agencies that demand money for non-existent jobs, urging prospective migrant workers to verify vacancies and recruiters before making financial commitments. Assistant Director of Skills and Expertise at the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Jennifer Wanami, said the government was intensifying grassroots awareness campaigns to help young people identify legitimate overseas employment opportunities and avoid exploitation by unscrupulous agents.
Speaking at Kisumu National Polytechnic during a community engagement under the Kazi Majuu, Maisha Diaspora initiative, Wanami warned that some recruiters operate fictitious offices, collect money from unsuspecting job seekers and disappear without securing them employment.
“We are telling them to be very careful. A person cannot just come in with a fictitious office and purport to be recruiting for jobs abroad,” she said.
Wanami urged job seekers to confirm the legitimacy of recruitment agencies and employment offers before paying any fees. She said the department could facilitate due diligence in collaboration with Kenyan embassies, high commissions and consulates in destination countries. She also warned against selling land or other valuable property to finance overseas employment without first verifying the authenticity of the job offer.
Government Expands Overseas Employment Opportunities
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs is strengthening labour mobility pathways through bilateral agreements and partnerships with foreign governments to connect Kenyans with international employment opportunities. According to Wanami, potential opportunities span teaching, engineering, agriculture, nursing, information technology and maritime services, depending on vacancies and the requirements of destination countries.
She noted that ageing populations and shortages of younger workers in some countries were contributing to demand for skilled foreign labour. Kenya has established labour cooperation arrangements with countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Germany to facilitate employment and strengthen protections for migrant workers.
Wanami said the government was also working with institutions such as the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority, Kenya Commercial Bank and Equity Bank to support labour mobility through relevant products and services. The Diaspora Placement Agency is another government initiative intended to facilitate overseas recruitment through formal channels and promote safe, regular and orderly labour migration.
Job Seekers Advised to Verify Licensed Recruitment Agencies
Foreign Service Officer at the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Ann Kimani, advised prospective migrant workers to consult the National Employment Authority (NEA) website to identify licensed recruitment agencies. She said the department also conducts pre-departure training for successful applicants to prepare them for life and work in their destination countries.
The training covers language requirements, cultural practices and other essential information intended to help workers adapt to new environments and understand how to safeguard their welfare. Kimani cited Germany as a destination recruiting professionals in information technology and nursing, noting that applicants must meet the relevant language requirements. Saudi Arabia was also identified as a destination offering opportunities for nurses.
She further urged Kenyans working abroad to register with their nearest Kenyan embassy, high commission or consulate to facilitate access to consular assistance during emergencies and other challenges.
The government says access to reliable information remains a major obstacle to safe labour migration, making it important for job seekers to rely on official communication channels when checking vacancies and recruitment procedures.
TVET Institutions Urged to Prepare Graduates for Global Labour Markets
Kisumu National Polytechnic Deputy Principal Patricia Naliaka said the institution was committed to equipping trainees with practical skills to compete for employment opportunities both locally and internationally. She added that the institution’s training programmes also seek to develop entrepreneurship skills, enabling graduates to establish businesses and create employment opportunities in Kenya, including after gaining experience abroad.
Naliaka said engagement between the institution and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs would help trainees understand overseas recruitment procedures and prepare for opportunities in international labour markets. The partnership highlights the role of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in developing the technical competencies required in sectors such as healthcare, engineering, information technology and maritime services.
For trainees and graduates, accessing overseas employment requires more than technical qualifications. Language proficiency, professional certification, knowledge of destination-country regulations and an understanding of recruitment procedures can also determine eligibility.
Kenya Strengthens Labour Migration Regulation
Kenya has progressively strengthened its labour migration framework through legislation and policy measures, including the Employment Act, 2007, and the National Employment Authority Act, 2016.
In 2023, the government published Sessional Paper No. 5 of 2023 on the National Policy on Labour Migration to improve coordination, promote safe and orderly migration and protect migrant workers. The National Assembly approved the policy in December 2025, according to the information provided.
The government has also pursued a Global Labour Market Strategy for 2023–2027 and established the Diaspora Placement Agency in 2023 to connect Kenyans with overseas employment opportunities through formal recruitment channels. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs, established in 2022, is mandated to strengthen engagement with Kenyans living and working abroad. Its responsibilities include promoting the welfare of citizens overseas, encouraging diaspora investment and facilitating access to international employment opportunities.
Data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited in the report estimates that between three and four million Kenyans live and work abroad, although the figure varies depending on whether temporary workers, students and broader multigenerational diaspora connections are included. Meanwhile, Kenyans who travel or work abroad through irregular migration routes, or who lack appropriate documentation, may face exploitation, imprisonment, deportation and other difficulties in their host countries.
Government Intensifies Grassroots Sensitisation
The Kisumu engagement formed part of a series of grassroots meetings aimed at educating residents about safe labour migration and legitimate international employment pathways. The delegation was also scheduled to engage communities in East Kano and at Maseno University, alongside other outreach activities within Kisumu town.
Through the Kazi Majuu initiative, the government aims to expand access to overseas employment through partnerships with foreign governments and employers, particularly in sectors requiring skilled workers. The department has urged prospective migrant workers to verify recruitment agencies through the National Employment Authority, confirm job offers before making payments and avoid risking family assets to finance unverified opportunities.
For young Kenyans pursuing careers abroad, the message is clear: verify the recruiter, confirm the job and understand the requirements before committing money or travelling.