Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has issued a stern directive to Kenyan youth: do not board a plane for work without an employment visa, or you risk walking straight into modern-day slavery.

The warning comes amidst a surge in heartbreaking cases of Kenyans stranded in foreign lands, having been duped by unscrupulous agents who promised them jobs but sent them off with nothing more than a visitor’s pass. These "tourist workers" often find themselves jobless, illegal, and vulnerable to deportation or worse upon arrival. Mutua’s message is a direct attempt to cut off the supply chain of these human trafficking syndicates.

The Airport Checkpoint

To enforce this, the government has established strict verification desks at JKIA and Moi International Airport. These checkpoints are the last line of defense, tasked with ensuring that anyone leaving for "kazuu" (hustle) has legitimate papers.

• The Scam: Agents charge exorbitant fees to secure a "job," but provide a tourist visa, claiming the work permit will be sorted "on arrival." It is a lie that has cost many families their life savings.
• The Policy: "If you are going for work, you must have an employment visa," Mutua declared. The government is also vetting agencies to weed out the rogues.

Desperation vs. Due Diligence

The crisis is fueled by the crushing unemployment rate, which drives young Kenyans to take desperate risks. However, the CS emphasizes that a shortcut to Europe or the Gulf is often a shortcut to misery.

As the government works to secure 20,000 legitimate jobs abroad, the onus is now on the youth to verify their documents. The promise of greener pastures is alluring, but as Mutua warns, without the right stamp in your passport, it is a mirage that disappears the moment you land.