TVET official warns youths against overseas job scams

A Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) official has warned young people seeking jobs abroad to beware of fraudsters posing as recruitment agents.

Audrey Odhiambo, the regional director in charge of Kisumu and Siaya counties, urged job seekers to conduct due diligence before signing employment contracts or making payments to recruitment agencies.

She said many young people had lost millions of shillings to fraudsters, while others had unknowingly been recruited into criminal activities, including scams and money laundering, overseas.

Odhiambo spoke at Kisumu National Polytechnic during an induction programme organised by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.

She said there were numerous employment opportunities abroad, but urged young people to follow the required procedures to avoid falling victim to fraud.

“Many people have invested heavily back home after securing lucrative jobs abroad,” she said, encouraging job seekers to pursue legitimate opportunities.

Odhiambo noted that while many young people remained unemployed, opportunities were available in foreign labour markets for those with the right skills and qualifications.

Jacinta Wenani, a ministry official, also urged young people to take advantage of employment opportunities abroad while remaining vigilant against fraudulent recruitment agencies.

She outlined the procedures job seekers must follow before securing employment in foreign countries and said graduates with technical and vocational training had an advantage in the international labour market.

Odhiambo also warned young people about cybercriminals, saying they risked losing access to their bank accounts or being coerced into criminal activities.

She called on young people to strengthen their data protection practices and safeguard their personal information against misuse.

Her warning comes amid growing concerns over cyber threats, artificial intelligence-powered scams and data security.

Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo and other senior government officials have also raised concerns about the risks.