The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare has launched an investigation into the controversial ‘Kazi Majuu’ project following allegations that some recruitment agencies scammed Kenyan job seekers out of millions of shillings.
The committee, chaired by Kajiado Senator Lenku Seki, has summoned Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and officials from the National Employment Authority (NEA) to respond to growing concerns about the integrity of the diaspora job placement program.
Preliminary reports indicate that more than 300 Kenyans were defrauded by agencies accredited by the NEA. Senator Seki emphasized that the committee would pursue accountability and ensure that victims either recover their money or are placed in employment as promised.
“The committee will follow up on the loss of funds. The Ministry of Labour will be summoned to ensure justice is served,” Senator Seki stated. CS Mutua and NEA officials are expected to appear before the committee on May 6 to address the fraud allegations.
Facilitation Fees and Exploitation
Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, who raised the matter, detailed how victims were required to pay facilitation fees totaling up to Sh55,000, purportedly for medical examinations, visa processing, and certificates of good conduct.
The recruitment drive, which reportedly took place in Kabete in December 2024, targeted job seekers for various roles including carpentry, driving, and masonry.
Applicants were initially asked to pay Sh15,000 for medical checks — fees that were described as standard pre-departure requirements. However, job seekers later faced additional charges.
Calvin Nyamweya, an orphan who sought employment in Qatar, recounted how he and others were asked to pay extra fees despite prior assurances from the Ministry of Labour that the recruitment would be free.
“CS Mutua announced the jobs at KICC. After interviews, successful applicants left their passports. Later, we were called back and asked to pay Sh20,000 for the medical check-up,” Nyamweya told the committee.
“My aunt paid the money, but to date, we have not received any refund,” he added.
Weeks later, applicants were again summoned to the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) to collect offer letters but were instead asked to pay an additional Sh40,000 to facilitate visa processing and secure certificates of good conduct.
The committee vowed to ensure the agencies involved are held accountable and that affected Kenyans are either compensated or offered the promised jobs abroad.
