The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned the public against falling prey to a fraudulent recruitment scheme targeting Kenyans, promising non-existent jobs in Luxembourg.
In a statement on Monday, February 16, the State Department of Diaspora Affairs confirmed that a probe had revealed that certain individuals and organisations are falsely purporting to be employment agents in Luxembourg and are charging job seekers a recruitment and processing fee.
The department has clarified that Luxembourg’s official Public Employment Service, Agence pour le Développement de l’Emploi (ADEM), doesn’t allow direct recruitment for employment.
“Any employment process involving luxembourg must strictly follow official and regulated procedures established by the Government of Luxembourg,” the statement read.
Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu during a past state function.
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Roseline Kathure Njogu, CBS
“No individual or private entity has been authorised to collect fees on behalf of Luxembourg authorities for job placement,” it added.
Members of the public has been advised to disregard individuals demanding upfront payments in exchange for job opportunities, as genuine recruitment conducted through official channels does not require any form of payment.
Kenyans should also ensure that they verify overseas employment opportunities through official government channels before submitting any personal information. Kenyans have been urged to also ignore individuals conducting recruitment businesses through private messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
The Ministry has further urged the public to ensure that they report individuals claiming to offer jobs abroad, without the necessary qualifications to do so, through +254114757002 or the official kazi majuu email.
“Any individual or organization exhibiting the above characteristics should be treated with suspicion. Firm action will be taken against those exploiting Kenyan job seekers,” the state department stated.
“For verification of legitimate overseas employment programs, members of the public are encouraged to contact the State Department for Diaspora Affairs through the above communication channels,” it added.
The announcement comes two days after the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow warned citizens against travelling to Russia for jobs through unverified channels, warning that this might limit access to government assistance in case they are stranded.
In a statement on Sunday, February 15, the embassy said that Kenyans wishing to travel to Russia for employment should avoid going through social media, messaging applications, or other unlicensed applications.
Kenyans have also been cautioned against travelling to Russia in search of employment using tourist visas. Those already residing in the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, or Kazakhstan have been advised to register with the Kenyan embassy.
“The Embassy is working with authorities in both countries to address emerging fraudulent recruitment networks and urges all those seeking jobs abroad to verify before finding themselves in circumstances beyond control,” the statement said.
An undated image of Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi with an insert of a Kenyan killed in the Russia-Ukraine war
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kenyans.co.ke