Overseas recruitment agencies in the coast region have called on the government to formally recognise their role in creating employment opportunities for Kenyan youth abroad.

Speaking in Mombasa under the umbrella of the Kenya Association of Private Employers Agencies (KAPEA), the agents decried their exclusion from key government programmes and interference from unscrupulous players seeking to derail their operations.

KAPEA Chairman Juma Mwangala revealed that in the past nine months alone, the association had successfully facilitated the deployment of more than 150,000 Kenyan migrant workers to various destinations, with Saudi Arabia accounting for 20,500 placements.

He noted that the figures are significant as they directly boost foreign remittances, reduce poverty, empower families and contribute to Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

However, the association is currently embroiled in rivalry with the Association of Skilled Migrant Agencies of Kenya (AMWAK) over control of the lucrative multibillion-shilling overseas recruitment sector.

Mwangala disclosed that former Labour Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani thwarted previous attempts to take over KAPEA.

“Our work aligns with the Kenya Kwanza government’s vision of job creation, strengthening bilateral labour ties and uplifting the dignity of Kenyan diaspora workers,” he said, in addition, he said, KAPEA is committed to ethical recruitment and compliance with international labour standards.

Kenya National Muslim Advisory Council (KEMNAC) Chairman Juma Ngao urged coast political leaders to support KAPEA’s push for recognition in the labour sector. He warned rival associations against attempts to undermine them.

“I want to send a strong message to the other organisations. We can never be your brokers; maybe you can be our brokers,” Ngao lamented.

KAPEA Vice Chairman Patrick Mburu also appealed to the government to protect the association from interference, citing recent attempts by disgruntled individuals to forge minutes in a bid to stage a hostile takeover. Luckily, their efforts were thwarted by the Registrar of Societies.

“We will not allow any group to destroy this association,” Mburu said. “Kenya is diverse, and instead of killing vibrant organisations, we should embrace that diversity.”

KAPEA member Ali Babu further called on the labour cabinet secretary to urgently convene a meeting to resolve the disputes before they escalate into a full-blown crisis, especially at a time when the government is prioritizing overseas job opportunities for Kenyan youth. A Tell Media / KNA report / By Sadik Hassan