State moves to eliminate rogue recruitment agencies through foreign partnerships

Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime speaking on November 9, 2025 / HANDOUT

The government has intensified efforts to protect Kenyan migrant workers by tightening the regulation of labour recruitment agencies and partnering with foreign nations to weed out rogue operators.

According to State Department for Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime, only accredited and compliant recruitment agencies will henceforth be allowed to facilitate employment opportunities for Kenyans abroad.

Speaking during a State visit to Oman, Mwadime announced that Kenya has entered into partnerships with several countries to strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure that only legitimate recruitment firms, both local and international, are permitted to operate.

“One of the key areas we have agreed on is the establishment of an Omani visa processing centre in Nairobi,” Mwadime said.

“This will eliminate the use of tourist visas by rogue recruitment agencies that bring Kenyans to Oman under false pretenses of employment.”

He noted that in recent years, a number of Kenyans seeking better livelihoods had fallen victim to unscrupulous agents who facilitated their travel on tourist visas, exposing them to exploitation and lack of legal employment.

To address this, the PS said the government’s new partnership framework includes stricter regulations and joint monitoring of private recruitment agencies in both Kenya and destination countries.

“We have agreed that our licensed private recruitment agencies in Kenya must work hand in hand with properly registered and regulated agencies in Oman. This collaboration is crucial, as it will help identify and eliminate unregistered players who exploit unsuspecting job seekers,” Mwadime explained. 

Mwadime further revealed that Kenya and Oman are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that will formalise labour relations between the two nations. 

The agreement will establish clear guidelines for ethical recruitment and employment of Kenyans in Oman.

“We have extended an invitation to our counterparts from the Omani Ministry of Labour, together with their minister, to visit Kenya for the signing of this MoU,” he said. 

“This will create a transparent and secure pathway for Kenyans seeking work opportunities here.”

The proposed agreement is expected to cover skilled and semi-skilled professions, opening more formal employment opportunities for Kenyan workers while ensuring their welfare and rights are protected.

Mwadime reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Kenyan workers abroad, saying that labour migration should be safe, orderly, and beneficial to both the workers and the nation.

“Our objective is to create decent and dignified work opportunities for Kenyans abroad while ensuring that every worker leaving the country does so under legitimate and verifiable channels,” he added.

The move comes amid increasing reports of mistreatment and exploitation of Kenyans working in the Middle East, many of whom are recruited through unlicensed agencies. 

By sealing bilateral agreements and introducing stricter oversight, the government hopes to restore order in the recruitment sector and enhance the country’s reputation as a source of professional and reliable labour.