How the National Employment Authority is Extorting Poor Kenyans Seeking Jobs Abroad

The National Employment Authority (NEA), a body entrusted with finding jobs for desperate Kenyans, is now under fire for fleecing poor citizens chasing dreams abroad. Instead of hope, many job seekers have been left with empty pockets, fake promises, and shattered futures. New revelations in the Senate expose how NEA agents used mobile money paybills to collect fees for non-existent jobs. As the Senate moves to grill the culprits, the victims’ stories reveal a shocking betrayal by a government institution created to protect them, not prey on their desperation. Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba demanded a full refund of all medical fees paid by individuals who enrolled in the Bobasi Diaspora Jobs Programme, a partnership between her office and NEA launched in August 2024. [Photo: X] Senator Orwoba Moves to Expose the National Employment Authority Scandal Kenyans seeking employment abroad have long turned to government agencies for help. Sadly, the National Employment Authority is now at the center of a major scandal, accused of exploiting job seekers instead of helping them. The uproar began when nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba exposed the shady dealings behind NEA’s diaspora job programme. In a bold move, Orwoba tabled a statement in the Senate, demanding justice for the hundreds who paid hefty medical and processing fees, only to realize the promised jobs never existed. Orwoba's letter to NEA was clear. She demanded a full refund of all medical fees paid by individuals who enrolled in the Bobasi Diaspora Jobs Programme, a partnership between her office and NEA launched in August 2024. She questioned the shocking lack of transparency and asked why NEA continued collecting money while knowing that no jobs were waiting. Kenyans who paid through two NEA-approved mobile money paybills, 247247 and 880100, are now left angry and confused. Proof of payment is available, yet NEA has remained silent, offering neither refunds nor explanations. In response to this outcry, the Senate has summoned the victims. According to Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyengenye, the Senate Labour Committee will hear from those affected on April 28, 2025. Victims have been asked to present documents and evidence, helping to build a case against the rogue practices within NEA. The Senate’s move signals a serious attempt to clean up labour export practices. However, for the many victims, real justice will only come if those responsible are punished and the stolen money returned. Victims Tell How NEA Betrayed Their Trust For most Kenyans, the dream of working abroad is a lifeline out of poverty. Many sold land, borrowed money, or used their life savings to pay NEA fees, trusting that a government agency would act honorably. Instead, they were met with lies. The 300 promised jobs never materialized. NEA could not provide even a simple timeline for travel dates. Repeated calls and visits to their offices were met with silence or vague excuses. Desperation turned into despair as months passed with no sign of the promised opportunities. One victim said he spent over Ksh 80,000 for medical tests and document processing. "We trusted them because it was the government. Now we have nothing," he said bitterly. Others told similar stories of financial ruin, broken homes, and lost hope. These are not just numbers. These are real lives devastated by greed hidden under the mask of government authority. Calls for the National Employment Authority to Refund Every Shilling Senator Gloria Orwoba has not minced her words. She wants full refunds for every affected Kenyan. In her view, NEA’s failure to deliver or even communicate is inexcusable. "Given the circumstances, I request an immediate full refund of the amounts paid," she stated firmly. The two mobile paybills used for collecting payments were linked directly to NEA agents, making it easy to trace the transactions. Yet no serious action to refund the victims has been taken so far. The Senate Labour Committee now has the chance to prove it can protect Kenyans from exploitation. By putting NEA under the microscope and demanding accountability, they can send a strong message that government offices are not above the law. For now, hundreds of job seekers wait anxiously. Will the Senate deliver justice, or will NEA walk away unpunished, leaving the poor to suffer yet again? The coming days will tell. But one thing is clear: the National Employment Authority has a lot to answer for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYBLkZ9IEdE