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Some of the firms, NEA says, enjoy backing of powerful individuals in government
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Director general Edith Okoki told National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs that some of the agencies attempted fresh registration under different names
Image: REUTERS
The government has deregistered 20 recruitment agencies as it declares war against rogue entities ferrying job seekers outside the country,.
National Employment Authority yesterday told MPs that the action was necessitated by the firms' dubious dealings.
The Authority says some of the recruitment agencies collect funds from gullible youths offering to link them with job opportunities abroad only to go under after pocketing the cash.
Some of the firms, NEA says, enjoy backing of powerful individuals in government.
Director general Edith Okoki told National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs that some of the agencies attempted fresh registration under different names.
The Committee is headed by Taita Taveta MP Lydia Haika.
“The last two years have not been easy. Some of the people that we were having issues with had access to high offices...others, once deregistered would attempt to come back with different names” she said .
The deregistered agencies include Gulfway Recruitment company Ltd, Royal Capital Placement Ltd, Geoverah Africa Safaris Ltd, First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Ltd and Geoverah Agency Ltd.
Daawo Holdings Ltd, Makungu International Ltd, Talent Gateaway Ltd, Jakartya Ventures Ltd and Skill Dove Ltd were also deregistered.
Others are Gifted Minds Tours Travel Ltd, Tangofox Ltd, Alemtyaz Travel Agent Ltd, Rhodevo International Ltd, Flexturch Recruitment Ltd , Omran Aly Agencies Ltd, Alsari International Ltd, Leisamis Recruiters Ltd and Skyward Global Dimensions Ltd.
Okoki said deregistration followed a thorough probe by investigative agencies including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The NEA boss did not give specifics of the breach by each firm.
MPs however demanded to be told the specifics of the reasons informing the deregistration.
“Can you elaborate why these 20 agencies were revoked?” Haika asked.
Okoki said some of the reasons are confidentially obtained from the National Intelligence Services.
“For some of the agencies, we get direct instructions from the National Intelligence Service,” she said.
Okoki said the investigations were informed by complaints from Mombasa residents against one Fatma Ramadhan, director general of Alhadhramy and Mahla Agencies.
Ramadhan is accused of taking money from youth with the promise of providing job opportunities in Qatar.
“The National Employment Authority took up the matter for further investigations and incorporated the Kenya Association of Private Employment Agencies Coast Disciplinary Committee. Investigations carried out revealed that 51 youths did not travel for work in Qatar as promised,” she said..