The government has intensified efforts to safeguard job seekers from fraudulent recruitment agencies while promoting vocational training as a pathway to secure employment.
Speaking during the 2nd Vocational Training Graduation 2025 at Moi Stadium in Voi, Taita Taveta County on Friday, the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, cautioned Kenyans seeking jobs abroad to be wary of rogue recruitment agencies that exploit desperate job seekers.
Mwadime emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring young people access legitimate employment opportunities, both locally and internationally, through structured and legal channels.
While stressing the need for caution, Mwadime warned against deceptive recruitment agents who lure job seekers with false promises.
He dismissed claims that a visitor’s visa could be converted into a work permit, calling such claims misleading.
“Anyone telling you that you will travel on a visitor’s visa and later obtain a work permit is lying. Employment abroad requires proper documentation and collaboration with relevant embassies,” he warned.
To enhance protection for Kenyans working abroad, Mwadime stated that the government is deploying labor attaches to various countries to monitor their welfare and ensure they are not exploited.
Mwadime also urged job seekers to rely on the National Employment Authority (NEA) website or visit NEA offices for verified job listings before making any decisions on the type of job they have identified.
He revealed that some parents had lost up to Ksh. 300,000 to fraudulent recruitment schemes, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
The PS said, “It is painful to see families lose their hard-earned money to scammers. I urge young people to follow government advisories and only engage with accredited recruitment agencies.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to bridging the skills gap and curbing unemployment through vocational training and employment facilitation.
“Our goal is to empower youth with the skills they need to secure jobs and build a sustainable future,” he stated.
He urged the youth to prioritize vocational training to gain marketable skills instead of falling prey to fraudulent job offers.
Mwadime stated that the government has put more emphasis on vocational training centers (VTCs) because a big number of youths completes basic education only and get out to search for jobs without acquiring marketable skills.
“Many young people complete their education but lack the necessary skills to enter the workforce. That is why the government is strengthening vocational training centers (VTCs) to equip them with relevant expertise,” Mwadime stated.
He highlighted the formation of Sector Skills Development Committees comprising professionals from various industries to align training programs with market demands. He further noted that the government is actively scanning global and local labor markets to ensure Kenyan graduates can seamlessly transition into employment.
He explained that once labour market needs are identified, the government collaborates with the ministry of education and the education stakeholders to align curricula with industry needs ensuring that graduates can secure employment on time within Kenya and abroad.
The PS cited a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the German government, under which the Ministry of Labour and Skills Development will assess job opportunities in sectors such as hospitality, information and communication technology (ICT), and healthcare. This initiative aims to provide Kenyan youth with verified and structured employment pathways abroad.
“The government does not want young people to go to school and graduate only to remain jobless. That is why we are actively scanning the market to identify job demands across different sectors,” he stated.
He further noted that in order to ensure that Kenyans working abroad succeed and develop after their work, the government is working closely with other agencies including the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Kenya Investment Authority, to ensure that they can make savings and earn high returns on their investments.
The event, which was attended by Taita Taveta County Governor Andrew Mwadime, Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo, Taveta MP John Bwire, Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako, and other officials, saw 745 students from 31 vocational training centers across the county receive certifications in various technical fields, including masonry, electrical work, hospitality, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), among others.
