Horror of Kenyans lured and duped into exploitation rings

Hundreds of Kenyans are falling victim to human trafficking as they seek international job opportunities, mostly in the Middle East. Many are lured by enticing job offers that turn out to be scams, leading them into situations of exploitation and enslavement.

The racket has provided the State with a new headache as it steps up efforts to promote diaspora jobs under the Kazi Majuu programme.

During an interview on KBC TV on Wednesday night, Roseline Njogu, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs within the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, issued a grave warning to Kenyans seeking employment abroad, particularly in Thailand.

She decried the rising threat of job scams masquerading as legitimate recruitment opportunities, which she described as a cover for human trafficking.

The PS cited the alarming trend where Kenyans, enticed by job offers, often find themselves trapped in perilous situations. Many end up in neighbouring Myanmar, falling into the clutches of criminal syndicates that exploit vulnerable individuals.

Here they face unimaginable horrors including forced labour, sexual exploitation or coerced participation in online scams.

“In these scenarios, they are made to pose as attractive individuals on social media platforms, soliciting money from unsuspecting men worldwide,” she revealed.

Reports indicate that individuals who refuse to comply are subjected to severe beatings, electrocution or even murder. Disturbingly, some victims are professionals who, desperate for work, are misled by unscrupulous recruiting agents.

Njogu advised individuals to verify job opportunities with the relevant authorities, specifically the Kenyan Embassy or the diaspora office.

“If you hear of any job opening abroad, kindly check with us,” she stated.

Desperate searches

To assist those seeking diaspora employment, Njogu announced the establishment of a dedicated office, Kazi Majuu, aimed at providing guidance and support. She encouraged individuals hesitant to visit the office in person to reach out online.

As the first-ever Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Njogu’s role is pivotal in enhancing the welfare of Kenyans living abroad.

Many Kenyans have been swindled out of their money with the promise of getting lucrative jobs abroad. Last month alone, more than 300 victims were reported to have been conned with the hope of securing non-existent jobs overseas. Some of the victims claimed to have paid up to Sh150,000 for the job opportunities.

Victims have left their jobs while others sold properties hoping to change their lives once they land the new jobs.

The PS shared a troubling account of a woman who was lured by a fraudulent job offer in Thailand, only to find herself in Myanmar, where she endured sexual abuse and had her passport confiscated.

“This story, among others, illustrates the dire consequences of engaging with unscrupulous recruitment agents,” Njogu explained in a media interview on Wednesday night.

Addressing Kenyans living abroad, Njogu expressed regret over the challenges many Kenyans face amid their desperate job searches and urged them to be cautious and sceptical, particularly when job offers seem too good to be true.

This comes even as the government announced plans to undertake a series of reforms aimed at streamlining the recruitment and deployment process for Kenyans seeking employment abroad.

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua revealed that a raft of changes was earmarked for the sector, as the government moves to weed out rogue recruitment agencies.

The CS said the reforms are designed to bring efficiency to employment and labour migration, where several key administrative changes were to take effect starting September last year.

Among the changes included the introduction of a new registration system for employment agencies.

New fees

The initial registration certificate for new employment agencies will now be valid for one year, costing Sh500,000.

The renewal of registration certificates will be extended to a period of two years, a change from the current one-year renewal period.

This will be priced at Sh500,000 for two years, or Sh250,000 per year with an option for one-year renewal.

The new measures, he said, were the result of extensive consultations with key stakeholders both in Kenya and overseas.

In an effort to enhance the preparation of Kenyans working abroad, Mutua announced changes to pre-departure training and orientation programmes for Kenyans seeking foreign jobs. “The raft of measures is expected to streamline labour mobility for Kenyan citizens, aligning with the government’s ambition to facilitate the deployment of between 5,000 to 10,000 Kenyans to work abroad each week,” the CS said at a meeting with private recruitment agencies and home care training institutions at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

He revealed that the DCI is currently investigating several agencies whose registration will be suspended if they are found culpable of committing an offence. He warned that stern action would be taken against agencies found to have violated the law by swindling unsuspecting Kenyans.

Yesterday, the Diaspora PS revealed that for the situation in Thailand, the government has already engaged with foreign missions in Thailand and authorities at the Kenyan Embassy to seek resolutions for the affected individuals.