Kenya Bans Over 400 Illegal Overseas Recruitment Agencies
Kenya has shut down more than 400 overseas job recruitment agencies accused of operating illegally.
The National Employment Authority (NEA), together with the police, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and other security units, is leading the operation. NEA Chair Vincent Kigen said the multi-agency team has already closed numerous unlicensed firms, calling the action a decisive step to protect job seekers pursuing work abroad.
Officials say the campaign is both punitive and preventative. The government is urging Kenyans to work only with NEA-licensed agencies so migrant workers can be traced and assisted if problems arise.
Kigen warned that those who travel on tourist visas or rely on unverified agents often become stranded, limiting the ability of authorities to intervene. Alongside enforcement, the government is expanding bilateral labour agreements with countries that employ large numbers of Kenyan workers.
According to Kigen, these agreements set out employment terms, protect workers’ rights and outline the responsibilities of host nations. Kigen also noted the economic importance of labour migration, stating that diaspora remittances under the Kenya Kwanza administration’s programme have reached Sh400 million.
He said this signals both the financial value of overseas employment and the need for transparent management of the sector.
