The Kenyan government has blacklisted 32 recruitment agencies for illegally operating while promising overseas jobs, following a surge in complaints about fraudulent practices.
The announcement, made public by Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, aims to protect jobseekers from exploitation amid rising unemployment and desperation for international opportunities.
The blacklisted agencies, revealed in a report to the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on May 6, 2025, include:
- Gulfway Recruitment Company Ltd
- Royal Capital Placement Ltd,
- Geoverah Agency Ltd,
- Geoverah Africa Safaris Ltd,
- First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Ltd,
- Daawo Holdings Ltd, Makungu International Ltd,
- Alemtyaz Travel Agent Ltd.
- Talent Getaway Ltd,
- Jakarta Ventures Ltd,
- Skill Dove Ltd,
- Gifted Minds Tours Travel Ltd,
- Tangofox Ltd,
- Flexturch Recruitment Ltd,
- Omran Aly Agencies Ltd,
- Alsari International Ltd,
- Leisamis Recruiters Ltd,
- Skyward Global Dimensions Ltd,
- Kalezon Limited,
- Abamwe Investments Ltd,
- Mastermind Ventures Limited,
- Broadlink Travels Agency Limited,
- Rhodevo International Ltd,
- Arshad Agency Limited,
- Kistamu Agency Limited.
- Global Career Crew Listings,
- Mega Recruitment Limited,
- Novice Global Consultancy Limited
Investigations by the National Employment Authority (NEA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) uncovered widespread unethical practices, including unregistered operations and scamming jobseekers with false promises of employment abroad.
“These agencies are not registered with the NEA and are not authorized to conduct recruitment activities for local or foreign labour markets,” Mutua stated in a public notice on October 3, 2024. The DCI is probing an additional 153 firms suspected of similar violations.
The crackdown follows public outcry over cases where Kenyans lost millions of shillings to rogue agencies, particularly in regions like Uasin Gishu, where First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Ltd attempted to rebrand as Royal Capital Placement Ltd to evade sanctions.
“When we closed First Choice, the owners tried to open a company under Royal Capital Placement, but we denied them the certificate,” NEA Director-General Edith Okoki told lawmakers.
Mutua defended the government’s Kazi Majuu program, insisting that no applicants using official channels have been defrauded.
“There’s no one who paid money and hasn’t either traveled or gotten their money back,” he said, urging jobseekers to verify agencies through the NEA’s website.
However, Senator Gloria Orwoba accused the ministry of shielding rogue operators, citing thousands of youth conned through state-backed initiatives.
“This is about Kenyans who have been conned by rogue recruitment agencies,” she told the Senate, demanding transparency.
The blacklisting has sparked reactions on social media, with users warning jobseekers to exercise caution.
The Ministry reiterated that only registered agencies, listed on www.neaims.go.ke, should be trusted, advising due diligence before making payments.
As Kenya grapples with high unemployment, the government’s actions signal a broader effort to regulate the recruitment sector. Jobseekers are urged to report suspicious agencies to the NEA or DCI for further investigation.
