The National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers carried out an  inspection visit of a number of private employment agencies domiciled in the Coastal Region.

 The Hon. Lydia Haika’s (Taita Taveta) led Committee visited three offices: Attawakul Limited, Al Hadhramy and, Mahla Agency and AlShifaa Investment Agencies with the aim of conducting an inquiry into the role and conduct of the agencies in the recruitment and placement of migrant workers abroad.

During the engagements with Director at Attawakul Limited, Mr. Yussuf Ibrahim, the Committee noted that the private recruiting agencies are facing a number of bureaucracy.

In his explanation, Mr. Ibrahim said that Kenya is losing its market to its neighbouring countries, because of the long process of training that the candidates get before departing.

Director of Al Hadhramy and Mahal Agency, Ms. Nutaila Masoud, told the Committee that the biggest challenge the industry faces is the long process required to procure a passport and Certificate of Good Conduct from Government offices.

Members sought to know a number of things including whether the company has ever received money and failed to take clients to the promised state.

Ms. Masoud in her response said such cases have happened noting that it is more common with female clients than male.

“In cases where a client can go to the applied job, we usually substitute them to another work, or we refund the money altogether,” said Ms. Masoud

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Al Shifaa Investment Agencies, Mr. Mwalimu Mwaguzo pleaded with the Committee to look into the training program for the candidates as it is not sufficient. He added that the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) needs to do a benchmark in the Arab Nations to know what to expect and what to train for.

Hon. Haika assured the agencies that the issues raised will be looked into and the Committee will submit a report to the House for debate and consideration.