Oman Warns Kenyans Against Using Unofficial Employment Channels

The Government of the Sultanate of Oman has issued a stern warning to Kenyans against seeking employment in Oman through unofficial channels, following reports of several Kenyans stranded in Oman after being defrauded by fake employment agents in Kenya.

The warning was issued by Nasra Salim Mohamed Al-Hashmi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Kenya, on Wednesday, February 4, following a consultative meeting with the Deputy Director General of the National Defence College (NDC), Lindsay Kiptiness.

During the meeting, the ambassador clarified that Oman does not issue tourist visas to Kenyans for employment purposes, advising that job applications should be pursued strictly through official and approved channels.

Securing an employment visa for Oman requires sponsorship from a licensed Omani employer, who must submit and process the application through the Ministry of Labour and the Royal Oman Police.

Her statement followed reports of several Kenyan nationals stranded in Oman,  currently seeking shelter at the Kenya Embassy, after being defrauded by unscrupulous employment agents in Kenya on false promises of jobs in Oman.

In a statement by the State Department of Diaspora Affairs, the concerns of the stranded Kenyans in Oman took centre stage at the meeting held in Nairobi.

“On labour matters, the meeting noted with concern the situation of several Kenyan nationals stranded in Oman and currently sheltering at the Kenya Embassy, having been defrauded by unscrupulous employment agents in Kenya on false promises of jobs in Oman,” the statement stated.

Several Kenyans pursuing job opportunities overseas have been duped by fraudulent agencies advertising fake vacancies, a trend that has prompted the government to step in and take action.

Concerns have been raised recently for thousands of Kenyan citizens stranded in various countries, especially in the Middle East, with active repatriation efforts and diplomatic negotiations underway.

Over 3,000 Kenyans have reportedly been left in distress in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon since 2023, leading the government to roll out a toll-free emergency hotline to report disputes or distress.

The government also took action by closing down over a hundred recruitment agencies that were used to defraud Kenyans seeking employment abroad.

Besides the crackdown, the government, through relevant authorities, filed lawsuits against the agencies and promised to compensate all those defrauded by the scheme fully.

The government also urged Kenyans to check whether the agency recruiting company was registered with the Ministry of Labour.