The Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee held a meeting with officials of the National Employment Agency (NEA) led by the Director General, Ms. Edith Okoki.

During the meeting chaired by the Chairperson, Hon. Lydia Haika (Taita Taveta), the Committee was told that a total of 20 recruitment agencies have been deregistered or denied registration for non-compliance to the set out rules and laws.

According to Ms. Okoki, deregistration and denial of registration to these agencies is part of the measures the Authority has put in place to address malpractices by private recruiting agencies.

The meeting follows an inspection visit by the Committee earlier this year to the private employment agencies domiciled in Mombasa where it noted that the Al Hadhramy and Mahla Recruitment Agency was operating without a valid license.

Despite not having a valid licence, the agency was listed on the NEA website, and had allegedly sent 600 people to the Middle East.

“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 Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Mombasa took up the case and an agreement was reached to refund the money to the affected candidates,” Ms. Okoki said.

Members also sought to know what action the Authority had taken on allegations that First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Ltd- a private recruitment agency based on Uasin Gishu- which had been closed due to malpractice, was back in operation through a different registered agency, Royal Capital Placement.

The DG assured the Committee that the matter was sorted and the new agency was closed.

In her closing remarks, Hon. Haika promised that the Committee would accelerate monitoring until the sector 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,” Hon. Haika said.