The dark side of the ‘Kazi Majuu’ initiative and Kenya’s bold attempt to step into the global labor market

In what was hailed as a groundbreaking move to combat unemployment, Kenya’s ‘Kazi Majuu’ initiative aimed to tap into the global labour market by offering overseas job opportunities to thousands of Kenyans. The program, launched by the Kenyan government under the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, was designed to match the country’s skilled workforce with international employers, promising not only economic opportunities but also enhanced remittances, contributing to the nation’s foreign exchange reserves.

However, while the initiative has garnered widespread praise for its ambitious goals, it has also uncovered a dark undercurrent of exploitation, fraud and human trafficking that threatens to tarnish its success.

According to Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, the program has been a major success in connecting Kenyans with international job markets. She noted that over the last two years, more than 180,000 Kenyans have secured jobs abroad, sending home nearly $4.9 billion in remittances. These figures tell a story of the program’s contribution to alleviating unemployment and bolstering the country’s economy.

But as opportunities grow, so too does the presence of opportunistic actors who aim to exploit the desperation of job seekers. Njogu pointed out that the expansion of the ‘Kazi Majuu’ program has led to an increase in fraudulent activity, with scammers posing as legitimate job placement agencies.

“The space has been crowded by people masquerading as agents who are not agents—fraudsters, scam artists, as well as human traffickers,” she stated.

This shadowy side of the initiative has raised concerns, especially after a wave of reports indicating that Kenyans were being lured into dangerous situations under the guise of legitimate work opportunities. In some cases, individuals have paid large sums of money to bogus agencies, only to find themselves stranded in foreign countries with no job and no means of support.

Njogu explained that many job seekers, driven by the hope of a better life, are often unaware of the risks involved.

“A lot of these people are looking for a way out of poverty. They hear about opportunities and think this is the only way,” she said. “But the reality is, there are people who prey on that vulnerability.”

One of the most concerning aspects is the rise in human trafficking cases linked to the initiative. Fraudulent job offers—especially in countries like Malaysia, Thailand and the Middle East—have become more sophisticated. Scammers now conduct fake interviews, offering enticing job packages in exchange for large upfront fees. Once the victims arrive at their supposed destination, they find themselves in a nightmare, often trafficked into exploitative labor situations or even forced into sex work.

A recent case involved a group of Kenyans who were promised lucrative IT jobs in Thailand. After paying exorbitant fees to secure the supposed positions, they were flown to Bangkok under tourist visas, only to be transported across borders into Myanmar, where they were forced into labor. Their ordeal only ended when the Kenyan Embassy intervened and brought them back home.

For Njogu and her team, the priority is to tackle these issues head-on. She emphasized that the government is working tirelessly to tighten regulations, enforce stricter controls, and provide proper oversight to ensure the safety of those going abroad.

“We want people to be able to take up these opportunities, but they must go through the right channels and procedures,” she said.

Despite the government’s efforts, many Kenyans remain skeptical about the program, with the fear of being swindled or trafficked preventing them from fully embracing the opportunities.

“We’ve seen this before—people promise jobs, take your money, and disappear,” said one Kenyan who wished to remain anonymous. “I want to believe in this program, but it’s hard not to be cautious.”

While ‘Kazi Majuu’ continues to grow, offering hope to many Kenyans, the government must now confront the darker realities of its implementation. With the global demand for Kenyan talent steadily increasing, the potential for exploitation looms large. It is crucial that the government remains vigilant in ensuring that the program’s success is not overshadowed by fraud and human trafficking.

As the initiative progresses Kenya must strike a delicate balance between offering its citizens the opportunity to thrive globally and safeguarding them from the predators lurking in the shadows of this promising new frontier.