Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has raised concerns over rising cases of Kenyans being lured into unsafe or illegal jobs abroad, including reports involving recruitment to countries such as Russia.
Speaking during the NYOTA Capital disbursement led by President William Ruto in Malindi, Kilifi County, on Thursday, February 5, CS Mutua warned job seekers to verify all overseas opportunities through the government’s official labour migration channels to avoid falling victim to rogue agents and trafficking networks.
Over the past months, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recorded an increase in complaints from Kenyans who travelled abroad under questionable arrangements, including some who used the wrong visa categories or were misled about the nature of the work awaiting them.
“If that agency or the job opportunity is not on the website, know that you are being duped. If you cannot do it through the website just dial 08002222223 for free you will communicate with an agent who will ask you questions, they will confirm if the agents are rogue,” Mutua said.
Mutua cautioned that some recruiters are fraudulently sending Kenyans abroad on visitor or tourist visas instead of proper work permits, leaving them vulnerable upon arrival in foreign countries.
The CS further revealed worrying cases involving young Kenyans being recruited into foreign conflicts or disappearing after travelling overseas under unclear circumstances.
“We have Kenyans who have been taken to foreign countries using visitors’ visas. People here from Malindi who are abroad went on employment visas. Those giving out tourist and visitors visas are rogue agents,” he said.
“We have young people being taken to foreign countries to fight for foreign countries. Others are going and go missing there.”
Mutua’s remarks come amid mounting concern over Kenyans being recruited into Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In November 2025, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said about 200 Kenyans were known to be fighting for Russia and warned that recruitment networks remained active in both Kenya and Russia.
Among those recruited were reportedly former members of Kenya’s security forces. Some rescued Kenyans said they were forced to assemble drones and handle chemicals without proper training or protective gear.
President Ruto has since asked the Ukrainian government to facilitate the release of Kenyans detained in the conflict zone.
Ukrainian authorities estimate that about 1,400 citizens from across Africa are fighting alongside Russian forces, many recruited through deception.
Kenya’s embassy in Moscow has also recorded injuries among some recruits, who were allegedly promised up to $18,000 to cover visas, travel, and accommodation.
Mudavadi warned that some Kenyans abroad are being drawn into forced criminal activities such as drug trafficking and forced labour.
“These crimes present a serious threat not only to the national security of Kenya but to global security as well,” he said.
In September, Kenyan authorities rescued more than 20 nationals preparing to join the war near Nairobi, while a suspected recruitment coordinator was arrested and is facing prosecution.
