Victims of overseas jobs in the Middle East scam have recounted their horrific stories at the hands of agents having failed to secure jobs.

The victims drawn from various parts of the country have been left at the mercy of unscrupulous agents who are yet to refund millions of shillings they paid to secure the jobs abroad.

This even as lawmakers were shocked after learning that over 300 Kenyans were conned millions of shillings as they pursued jobs in the Middle East following a recruitment exercise that was commissioned by the Ministry of Labour last year.

The victims told a Senate committee that it was 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 led its credence making them think it was genuine.

Appearing before the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee yesterday, the youth narrated how they had borrowed funds to secure jobs but failed.

Not materalised

For instance, Godfrey Githae, a carpenter from Nyeri told the lawmakers how he had to borrow some Sh55,000 from his wife and in-laws to secure the job opportunity in Iraq but has not materialized to date.

Githae stated that a team of about 20 were summoned by an agent at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where they were asked to make payment of Sh15,000 for medical tests and to pay a further Sh40,000 to process their travel, which was mandatory for those interested.

“I had to borrow Sh15,000 from my wife for the medical tests and another Sh40,000 from my in-law, who is now demanding it back. I was told to wait for a Visa, which I have not gotten to date,” said Githae. The victim told Senators that they were told that they would not get everything for free and they did not receive results for the medical tests they took nor have they received the visa to travel.

According to Githae, he has had to travel to Nairobi eight times this year, each time using Sh1,200 for his fare to follow up on the matter.

A grader operator Doreen Biyaki on her part said that she applied for the drivers’ job and travelled to Kabete National polytechnic after the Ministry advertised for the jobs. Biyaki also concurred that they were asked to pay Sh15,000 for medical tests which surprised them, adding that they had been made to believe that the jobs were free.

Paybill number

According to Biyaki, they demanded for a paybill number after they were asked to give cash, a move that they took with a pinch of salt.

“We have been asking for our money and after seeking Senator Gloria Orwoba to help, some of us have received back Sh10,000, with Sh5,000 remaining. We are asking that we get back our money in full if there are no jobs for us, since we had a lot of expectations,” said Biyaki.

Another victim Robinson Nyamongo told the committee that he had received Sh10,000 refund from one Ikusya Kaloki out of the Sh15,000 he had given to the agents. James Mwangi who gave Sh55,000 for a job in Iraq told the committee that he had managed to get back Sh37, 000 from the agent since he had evidence of payment through a KCB paybill after pursuing the agent who has not committed on when to give the remaining amount.

Representatives of the job seekers who appeared before the committee narrated how they paid out between Sh15,000 and Sh55,000 for jobs that they have not been called for several months later despite promises they were given by the relevant agencies.

The Committee has now summoned the Labour Cabinet Secretary, Alfred Mutua and the National Employment Authority (NEA) management next Tuesday to shed more light on the matter since the ministry supervised the well-publicised recruitment process.

“The Senate Labour Committee will ensure the victims of this syndicate get justice, that is why we have invited the Labour Cabinet Secretary, Alfred Mutua and National Employment Authority management to shed more light on this matter next Tuesday,” said Kajiado Senator Lenku Seki.

Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba who had petitioned Senate on behalf of the victims revealed that she had mobilized more than 90 youths and liaised with the NEA management so as to ensure that they applied for the jobs with promises of having good jobs in the Middle East country.