Kenyan authorities have intensified their fight against illegal recruitment in Kenya after busting a fraudulent overseas job agency in Mombasa. Two directors of Al-Wajib Investments Ltd, a company accused of running an unlicensed recruitment agency, were arrested in a sting operation led by the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) and Mombasa Central Police.
The raid, according to a statement from DC X on 26th August 2025, conducted in the Makadara area, uncovered that the company was operating from a residential building without valid authorization. Detectives seized an expired National Employment Authority (NEA) registration certificate, company registers, a receipt book, and an official stamp — all of which will be used as evidence in court.
The suspects, identified as Bilal Dundo Nyanje and Ali Abu Bakari, were taken into custody and are undergoing processing before their arraignment. They are expected to face charges linked to operating an unlicensed recruitment agency in Kenya and misleading job seekers with promises of overseas opportunities.
The National Police Service (NPS) has urged Kenyans to remain vigilant, warning that many fake recruitment firms in Kenya exploit unemployed youths by charging illegal fees or promising non-existent foreign jobs. Authorities stressed that only agencies accredited by the National Employment Authority (NEA) are legally mandated to offer overseas job placements.
This crackdown comes at a time when overseas job scams in Kenya have been on the rise, especially in coastal regions like Mombasa, where desperate youths are often targeted. Police say similar operations will continue as part of efforts to protect citizens from fraudsters.
Employment experts are advising job seekers to always verify an agency’s credentials on the NEA portal before making payments or submitting personal documents. Many victims of job scams in Kenya lose significant amounts of money or end up stranded in foreign countries under harsh working conditions.
By arresting the suspects, the government is sending a strong warning to unlicensed recruiters: anyone found running illegal recruitment agencies in Kenya will face prosecution.
The NPS has assured the public that the fight against overseas job scams remains a top priority in safeguarding the dreams and safety of Kenyan job seekers.
