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The alarm comes at a time when the ministry has recorded a daily influx of 30 Kenyans to its embassies in the Arab world, most of them fleeing unbearable working conditions, open abuse and exploitation, from their employers.
Mr Patrick Wamoto, the acting permanent secretary, said the bogus agencies promised Kenyans “improved lifestyle”, but once they take the trip to the foreign lands, they end up being abused.
He said most of the Kenyans languishing abroad fail to “authenticate the job offers with the relevant authorities” before taking the trip and as a result, they are “duped into signing blanket, illegal and non-binding contracts.”
“Failure by migrants to register with the nearest Kenyan embassies or consulates also makes it difficult to determine their whereabouts, rendering them vulnerable to abusive conditions,” Mr Wamoto said in a statement.
Most Kenyans in the Middle East are employed as guards, electricians, waitresses and waiters, chefs, mechanics and house-helps.
There have been cases of Kenyan house-girls being thrown off highrise buildings by employers. Some have been forced to work long hours without pay, and if they complain are beaten and threatened with deportation.
Others have their passports confiscated by employers and they do not have contact with their relatives or even their embassies, until their employer kicks them out, often without pay.
The ministry has now made it mandatory for foreign firms looking for cheap labour to submit information including salaries, wages, the available vacancies, the period of contract and the terms of employment to the local employment agents.
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