Kenya is committed to deal with unscrupulous agents conning citizens millions of shillings with promises of non-existent jobs abroad as per the law, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said yesterday. 

Mudavadi said that the government through the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour are working to ensure that Kenyans are informed of the right countries to apply for jobs. 

Mudavadi’s assurance comes after victims of jobs fraud to the Middle East petitioned the Senate through nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba that they were conned millions of shilling in fake job scams. 

The victims told the senators that it was very unfortunate that they had lost their money under a scheme that was supervised by the Ministry of Labour and National Employment Authority (NEA), which had lent it credence. 

Appearing before the Senate National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Isiolo lawmaker Fatuma Dullo, Mudavadi charged that the government would sensitise Kenyans on places to avoid in foreign jobs without naming countries. 

“The government is committed to do away with some unscrupulous agents who are out to con Kenyans. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be guiding citizens on where they should look for jobs. We do not want a situation where Kenyans are losing their lives,” said Mudavadi. 

Already the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee has summoned Labour Cabinet Secretary, Dr Alfred Mutua and the National Employment Authority (NEA) management next Tuesday to shed more light on the matter. 

At the same time, Mudavadi pointed out that Parliament has not given his ministry an allocation to take care of legal fees for Kenyans who find themselves on the wrong side of the law abroad. 

Currently, there are more than 1,000 Kenyans incarcerated for different offences in various jails across the world. 

Mudavadi said that Kenyans should be aware that once they leave the country, the laws that apply are those of the foreign countries they have visited. 

“It is important for Kenyans abroad not find themselves on the wrong. This will help ensure that we do not lose many young people when they face harsh sentences,” said Mudavadi. 

He waded into the controversy of President William Ruto attending the funeral service of Pope Francis at the Vatican after it was said he was to be represented by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula after Senator Sifuna raised the matter, which has been subject of jokes in social media. 

“The President had earlier planned for the China trip and the worry was that he could not be able to conclude his busy schedule on time for the Pope’s funeral and designated National Assembly Speaker to represent him but he was able to conclude and arrived on time for that ceremony,” said Mudavadi. 

He reiterated that the country is committed to dialogue with all warring parties in Sudan and the DRC stating that the country does not have a common border with the two countries to have ulterior interests and that it was committed to peace terming it as the reasons it was engaging all parties.