Labour CS Alfred Mutua. Photo | courtesy.
Hundreds of Kenyan youths have lost millions of shillings in a job recruitment scandal tied to a government-linked initiative promising employment in the Middle East.
The recruitment, conducted in December 2024 under the “Kazi Majuu” programme, was marketed as part of President William Ruto’s pledge to create one million jobs annually.
Desperate job seekers were directed to venues including the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and Kabete National Polytechnic, where agents demanded payments of up to Sh55,000 for medical tests, visa processing, and other documentation.
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Appearing before the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee, victims broke down in tears as they recounted how they sold belongings and borrowed money for jobs that never materialised.
“I took a loan from my wife and in-laws and paid Sh55,000,” said Godfrey Githae, a carpenter from Nyeri.
“I made eight trips to Nairobi, each costing me Sh1,200, only to be taken in circles.”
Doreen Biyaki, a machinery operator, said she paid Sh15,000 in cash at KICC and was later asked for an additional Sh40,000.
“When I asked for a paybill or even a receipt, they refused. That’s when I knew something was wrong,” she said.
The scandal was exposed by Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, who said she had mobilised more than 90 youths to join the programme after being convinced it was backed by the Ministry of Labour and the National Employment Authority (NEA).
“We trusted the government. We did our due diligence and saw officials from NEA and the Ministry of Labour present at the recruitment centres,” Orwoba told the Senate committee.
“It is devastating that the very institutions meant to protect our young people are enabling such exploitation.”
The Labour Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua and officials from NEA have been summoned to appear before the committee on May 6 to explain their roles in the scandal.
“This is heartbreaking,” said committee chairperson and Kajiado Senator Lenku Seki. “We must ensure the victims are either refunded or given the jobs they were promised.”
Senator Orwoba has called for CS Mutua’s immediate dismissal, accusing him of negligence and failure to supervise the programme.
“This person is incompetent, and his interests have been seen because he is not there for the people of Kenya,” she said during the session.
The scandal has raised fresh concerns over the safety and regulation of labour export schemes, especially those presented under government branding.
