How to Check If a Recruitment Agency Is Licensed by NEA in Kenya

Updated 18 October 2026

Every year Kenyans lose money to fake recruitment agencies promising jobs in the Gulf, Europe and elsewhere. In Kenya, private employment agencies must be accredited by the National Employment Authority (NEA) under the Labour Institutions Act and the Private Employment Agencies Regulations, 2016 (Legal Notice 110). Checking an agency takes a few minutes and can save you a lot of money and risk. This guide shows where to check and what to look out for.

Where to Check at a Glance

Step by Step: How to Check an Agency

1. Get the agency’s exact details. Ask for its registered name and NEA registration number. A real agency will give them readily.
2. Search an official list. Use the NEAIMS employment agency list or the State Department for Diaspora Affairs verification tool and type the name or number.
3. Check the status. On the diaspora tool, the badge shows whether the licence is Valid or Expired. An expired or missing listing means the agency is not currently licensed.
4. Match the contacts. Compare the email, website and phone numbers listed with the ones the agency used to contact you. Scammers often pose as real agencies.
5. Visit the office. Licensed agencies must have a physical office with a lease. If they only meet in cafes or by WhatsApp, be careful.

What NEA Requires of Agencies

Knowing the rules helps you spot fakes. NEA’s accreditation requirements include:

• Incorporation as a limited liability company with a current CR12.
• Minimum share capital of KSh 5,000,000.
• County government licences and a lease or tenancy agreement.
• Certificates of good conduct for all directors and a tax compliance certificate.
• A human resource management certificate held by at least one management employee.
• A KSh 1,500,000 security bond with a bank or insurer for agencies that recruit for jobs abroad.
• A signed commitment to follow the code of conduct for recruitment agencies.

Warning Signs of a Fake Agency

• It cannot give an NEA registration number, or the number does not match the name.
• It asks for large cash payments into personal M-Pesa numbers.
• It promises a visa or job without an interview, contract or medical test.
• It pressures you to pay quickly before a slot is lost.
• The job offer has no named employer or written contract.

If You Have Already Paid

1. Keep receipts, M-Pesa messages, chats and any documents the agency gave you.
2. Report the agency through the Report a fake recruitment agency option on NEAIMS, or to NEA on 020 8610000 or info@nea.go.ke.
3. Report fraud at a police station and get an OB number.
4. Warn others so they do not fall for the same scheme.

Fees Agencies May and May Not Charge

Ask any agency for a written breakdown of every payment before you hand over money, and pay only into the agency’s registered business account or paybill, never a personal number. Ask for an official receipt each time. Compare what the agency says with your written contract and the job offer from the employer. If the agency refuses to put fees in writing, or keeps adding new charges, stop and verify with NEA before paying more. Many complaints NEA receives start with small “processing” payments that grow over weeks without any job appearing.

Prepare Your Application Safely

Real employers and agencies ask for the same core papers. See our list of documents needed for job applications. For verified local openings, browse JobinKenya. If you are looking at the Gulf, read our guide to jobs in Saudi Arabia for Kenyans first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a recruitment agency is genuine in Kenya?

Search its name or NEA registration number on the NEAIMS list or the diaspora verification tool and confirm the status is Valid.

Who licenses recruitment agencies in Kenya?

The National Employment Authority (NEA).

What security bond must foreign recruitment agencies have?

NEA requires a KSh 1,500,000 security bond for agencies doing foreign recruitment.

Where do I report a fake recruitment agency?

To NEA through NEAIMS or on 020 8610000, and to the police.

What is the minimum share capital for a recruitment agency?

KSh 5,000,000, according to NEA’s accreditation requirements.