Kambi revokes licences of agencies recruiting for Middle East jobs

Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi has revoked licences of over 900 agencies recruiting workers to the Middle East and the Gulf region. The CS also temporarily suspended the recruitment of domestic workers to these regions, citing the existence of many briefcase agencies and the suffering of Kenyan migrant workers.

He said the recruitment agencies will have undergo fresh vetting, which is to start immediately. Foreign recruiting agencies in Kenya will also be required to go through the Labour ministry before hiring.

The revocation of licences is likely to affect between 80,000 and 100,000 Kenyans already working in these countries under the agencies whose future is now uncertain.

Speaking on Monday during a press conference at his office in Nairobi, Mr Kambi decried the suffering of many Kenyan workers abroad. He was accompanied by Principal Secretary Ali Ismail and director of Employment Edith Okoki.

Mr Kambi said they are hoping to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the affected countries to guarantee the safety of Kenyan migrant workers.