Reports have emerged of yet another disturbing case involving a rogue recruitment agency accused of mistreating job seekers preparing for overseas employment.
The firm, Suluhisho Africa Limited, which has been facilitating travel to the United Arab Emirates, is under fire after claims surfaced that dozens of individuals are being confined in a poorly maintained hostel in Njoro, Nakuru County under degrading conditions.
According to complaints received, the affected persons, many of whom have already completed training and medical procedures, are not allowed to leave the facility or return home.
They are also not provided with food and are instead told to use their own money to buy foodstuffs, which many cannot afford.
Mobile phones are confiscated every morning and only returned in the evening, leaving the victims with limited communication and virtually no contact with family or potential support.
The situation inside the hostel is reportedly critical as when it rains, the premises flood, with water covering walking spaces and the sleeping quarters are extremely cold, with metallic ceilings dripping moisture at night.
“Hello Bwana Nyakundi. Kindly post for me and hide my ID. There is this company called Suluhisho, inapeleka watu UAE kazi, so wale watu wamefanya training, medical, etc., hawarusiwi kwenda home au kutoka.
So wanakaa kwa hostel pale Njoro, Nakuru, and they are not given food. Wanaambiwa watoe pesa ya kubuy foodstuffs na hawana. Pia hawaruhusiwi kuwa na SIM during daytime. Inachukuliwa asubuhi mpaka jioni ndo wapewe. Hali imekuwa ngumu mpaka a friend who is there decided to call me akaniambia wanaumia sana. Even the place, kukinyesha kunajaa maji, hakuna mahali pakukanyaga. Pia kwa kulala ni baridi sana ‘cause imewekwa ceiling ya simit. Vile kuna baridi, inatoa maji inawadondokea usiku… Kindly help post this so that they can get help. It’s urgent,” a source wrote to us on Tuesday.
These revelations about Suluhisho Africa Limited have added to mounting national outrage over the unchecked proliferation of recruitment agencies that exploit desperate Kenyans under the guise of offering lucrative jobs abroad.
In recent months, countless young people have fallen victim to similar schemes, lured in by the promise of well-paying positions in countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Cyprus, only to be subjected to deception, financial exploitation, and abuse.
Many sell property, take loans, or drain family savings to pay for training, documentation, and travel, only to end up stranded, misled, or mistreated.
The regulatory environment around these agencies remains alarmingly weak, with limited oversight and enforcement by relevant government bodies.
Despite numerous exposés and public outcry, accountability has been scarce, with victims often facing silence or red tape when they seek help, while rogue agencies continue to operate with impunity, sometimes even changing names to dodge scrutiny.
Labour migration is increasingly becoming a trap for financial and emotional ruin and the Suluhisho case is just the latest symptom of a broken system that leaves vulnerable citizens at the mercy of profiteers.
Without urgent reforms, better enforcement of licensing laws, and strong protection mechanisms for migrants, many more Kenyan families risk suffering similar pain and betrayal.
