The government has launched a multi-agency task force to investigate and prosecute individuals and agencies involved in fraudulent overseas job schemes targeting job seekers.
Labour and Social Protection CS Alfred Mutua announced the crackdown following a high-level meeting convened at the NSSF Building on Tuesday.
The meeting brought together top officials from key state agencies to craft a coordinated response to what Mutua described as a growing “criminal enterprise.”
“We deliberated on coordinated strategies to decisively deal with this criminal enterprise that is undermining the gains we have made in expanding safe and legal labour migration opportunities for Kenyan youth,” he said.
“As a result, we have agreed to establish a Multi-Agency Taskforce to investigate and prosecute these fraudulent actors swiftly and thoroughly.”
Mutua expressed concern over the rising number of cases involving individuals posing as licensed recruitment agents.
He said these fraudsters defraud Kenyans with false promises of overseas jobs, then disappear with their hard-earned money and leave them devastated.
He was joined by Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga, Director of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Amin, and Director General of the National Employment Authority (NEA) Edith Okoki.
Mutua said the newly established task force will include representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Attorney General’s Office, DCI, and ODPP.
Other institutions are the Asset Recovery Agency, the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), the Directorate of Immigration, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and other relevant state agencies.
The team will operate from a centralised One-Stop Centre based at the NSSF Building, Block C, 7th Floor, open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., daily, starting Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
The centre will serve as a hub for victims to report cases, submit evidence and seek redress.
“Files will no longer be hidden in scattered police stations or slow-moving offices,” Mutua said.
“The DCI will work closely with the DPP to ensure cases are handled efficiently, whether a file is ready for prosecution, needs more evidence or should proceed to court immediately.”
He said the task force aims to eliminate bureaucratic delays that often allow suspects to walk free due to missing or delayed case files.
“We are also engaging the Judiciary to explore the possibility of fast-tracking labour fraud cases, so that offenders are dealt with swiftly and justice is served,” he said.
“Those who have deliberately defrauded Kenyans must face the full force of the law. We are serious about dismantling these criminal networks.”
Mutua stressed that individuals will no longer hide behind company names.
“Companies are registered by people, and we will not allow any individual to hide behind company names. Everyone responsible, whether as directors, brokers, or collaborators, will be held personally accountable,” he said.
The CS called on the public whom recruitment agencies have defrauded to come forward with documentation.
“If an individual or agency took your money in exchange for a promised job opportunity abroad that has not materialised for six to eight months or more, and you have not received a refund, please come forward,” he urged.
Victims are encouraged to bring all relevant records, including proof of payment and communication with agents, to the One-Stop Centre at NSSF Building, 7th Floor, starting Thursday, July 17, from 9am to 1pm.
Mutua reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safe, legal and dignified labour migration pathways.
“Kenya’s labour migration strategy is solid, and we will not allow criminals to sabotage it. This mission cannot be derailed by con artists,” he said.
The CS vowed to protect the integrity of the country’s migration programmes and the dignity of Kenyan workers.
“We are determined to protect the integrity of our programmes and the dignity of our people,” Mutua said.
