Oman Warns Kenyans Against Using Unofficial Job Recruiters

Oman has warned Kenyan citizens against seeking jobs through unofficial recruitment channels after several Kenyans were stranded in Muscat following fraudulent employment schemes.

The warning was issued on 4 February by Nasra Salim Mohamed Al-Hashmi, Oman’s Ambassador to Kenya, during a consultative meeting with Ambassador Lindsay Kiptiness, Deputy Director General of the National Defence College. Ambassador Al-Hashmi said Oman does not issue tourist visas for employment and emphasised that all job placements must follow authorised procedures.

She explained that employment visas are issued only through sponsorship by licensed Omani employers, with applications processed by the Ministry of Labour and the Royal Oman Police. She urged job seekers to avoid informal agents and verify all employment arrangements before travelling.

Her remarks followed reports of Kenyan nationals seeking assistance at the Kenya Embassy in Oman after being misled by recruitment agents operating in Nairobi. The State Department of Diaspora Affairs confirmed that the situation of these stranded citizens was discussed in Nairobi, where officials expressed concern over the rising number of fraud cases.

The issue extends beyond Oman. In recent years, many Kenyans have been stranded in Middle Eastern countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. Since 2023, more than 3,000 Kenyans have been reported in distress abroad, leading the government to increase repatriation efforts and strengthen diplomatic engagement.

In response, the Kenyan authorities have introduced a toll-free hotline for reporting disputes and emergencies involving citizens abroad. They have also shut down more than 100 recruitment agencies linked to fraudulent practices and initiated legal action against those involved. Officials have said affected individuals will receive full compensation.

The government has described these measures as part of broader efforts to regulate labour migration and address long-standing challenges of exploitation and misinformation. Job seekers have been advised to confirm the registration of recruitment agencies with the Ministry of Labour before entering into overseas employment agreements.