MPs probe claim that firm in Ksh.1B Uasin Gishu job scam still operating despite closure

Members of Parliament have poked holes into allegations that a private agency that was involved in a multi-billion job scam had resumed operations despite been deregistered.

First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Limited, based in Uasin Gishu, was linked to conning more than 5,000 youths by promising them lucrative jobs in Qatar and other foreign countries. Reports indicated that the agency received over Ksh.1 billion from the scam.

Chaired by Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika, the National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers questioned the National Employment Authority (NEA) on why the private agency was back in operations through a different name, Royal Capital Placement.

Addressing the claims, NEA Director General Edith Okoki informed the Committee that the matter had been resolved as the even new agency was shut down.

“When we closed First Choice, the owners tried to open a company called Royal Capital Placement but we denied them the certificate,” she disclosed.

Last year, the Senate Labour and Social Welfare Committee had ordered the agency to refund the cash.

The committee had also directed that the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) to seize the agency's property should they fail to refund the cash within a month.

NEA boss Okoki reaffirmed that the Authority had put in place measures to address malpractices in private recruiting agencies which often exposes Kenyans seeking work abroad to problems such as human trafficking and smuggling by their foreign employees.

She explained that a total of 20 recruitment agencies had been deregistered and denied an opportunity to register afresh for non-compliance. 

However, Ms. Okoki also acknowledged that more needed to be done to weed out all illegal agencies.

She highlighted a case following an inspection in Mombasa whereby they noticed Al Hadhramy and Mahla Recruitment Agency was operating without a valid licence. 

According to the DG, the agency had allegedly sent 600 Kenyans to the Middle East. She, however, pointed out that an agreement was reached for the money to be refunded to those affected. 

“The Authority has taken up the matter for further investigations and incorporated the Kenya Association of Private Employment Agencies (KAPEA) and Coast Disciplinary Committee," the DG said. 

"The DCI in Mombasa took up the case and an agreement was reached to refund the money to the affected candidates."

Committee chair Haika reaffirmed that it would continue scrutinizing the sector until it is streamlined. 

“We want Kenyans to work abroad, but we also want them to be comfortable while working. We are the people to ensure that,” Haika told the NEA team.