TikTok job adverts: Kenyan youth warned of fake overseas employment offers

Kenyan youth are being warned against falling victim to fraudulent recruitment agents who exploit the demand for skilled workers in overseas labor markets. Authorities have cautioned young jobseekers that unregistered recruitment agents are using social media platforms like TikTok to lure them with attractive job offers. These agents may lead unsuspecting individuals into exploitative working conditions or worse, human trafficking.

Irene Karari, Director of Skills and Expertise at the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, urged Kenyans to verify the credentials of recruitment agencies before accepting overseas employment opportunities. The diaspora's economic contribution has grown, with remittances reaching record levels in recent years, supporting millions of households and providing a significant source of foreign exchange.

Cascade Institute of Hospitality and Tourism founder Sylvester Njuguna emphasized the importance of professionalism, discipline, and cultural awareness in the industry, beyond just technical skills. Similarly, Zoran Kocoski and Rosemary Kirika called for the internationalization of technical training to help Kenyan graduates compete effectively in the global labor market.

Students attending the celebrations expressed gratitude for the opportunities technical and vocational training provided, encouraging young people to take proactive steps to secure their futures through skills acquisition and to stop complaining about unemployment.