How to Verify a Study Abroad Agent in Kenya and Avoid Admission and Visa Scams

Updated 21 October 2026

To verify a study abroad agent in Kenya, confirm the agency and its exact branch appear as Valid on the latest Commission for University Education (CUE) list. Then confirm your admission directly with the university, and pay tuition only to the university’s own account. Those three checks stop most of the admission and visa scams that cost Kenyan families money every intake.

Step 1: Check the CUE Licence

Any agency that recruits students in Kenya for universities, local or foreign, needs a CUE licence under the Universities Act, 2012. CUE publishes a list of licensed student recruitment agencies, with each office’s status and licence dates. The August 2026 edition listed 76 valid offices, 26 awaiting renewal and 47 expired. You can see the whole list, with contacts, in our full CUE list of licensed study abroad agencies.

• Match the full registered name. Ask for the certificate of incorporation if the brand name differs.
• Match the branch. CUE licenses each office. One agency can have a valid Nairobi office and an expired Eldoret one.
• Check the expiry date. Most current licences run for a year, for example to 30 July 2027.
• Ask to see the licence certificate in the office, and compare it with the CUE list.

Licence status changes, so always check the latest list

On 20 January 2026, CUE named 20 student recruitment agencies it said were operating illegally, mostly in Eldoret, with one in Nyeri and one in Eastleigh, Nairobi. By the 14 August 2026 list, nine of them showed as valid. They had since been licensed: Eduventures, StudyWise, Tick-sons, Blitz Vive, Beacon Placement, Wanderlust Wonders, Gatron, Breemic Iboard and Globwise. The lesson is that an old warning or an old approval is not enough. Check the current list on the day you sign.

Step 2: Confirm the University and Your Offer

A licensed agent can still make mistakes, and fake offer letters circulate on social media. Confirm these yourself:

1. The university is real and recognised. Use the university’s own website, not a link the agent sends. If you plan to work in Kenya afterwards, check that the qualification can be recognised by CUE when you return.
2. The offer letter is genuine. Email the university’s admissions office, using an address from the official website, and ask them to confirm your student or application number.
3. The course and fees match. Compare the tuition on the offer with the university’s published fees. A big gap is a warning sign.
4. The agency really represents that university. CUE’s list shows which institutions each agency represents. Many universities also publish their approved agents.

Step 3: Pay Safely

• Pay tuition and deposits only to the university, using the payment details on its portal or official invoice. Be very wary if an agent asks you to send tuition to a personal M-Pesa number or personal bank account.
• Get receipts for agent service fees on company letterhead, with the company’s name matching the CUE list.
• Agree fees in writing before you start: what the agency charges, what it covers, and the refund terms if your visa is refused.
• Check the number before you send. If you do pay a legitimate fee by M-Pesa, confirm the registered name on the confirmation screen first. Our guide to sending money on M-Pesa shows where to look.

Visa Scams to Watch For

Agents can help you prepare documents, but the visa decision is made only by the embassy or immigration authority of the destination country. Be alert to:

• “Guaranteed visa” promises. No agent can guarantee a visa.
• Fake bank statements or sponsor letters offered for a fee. Using false documents can lead to refusal and a ban from that country.
• Paying an agent for a visa fee that you could pay directly on the official government visa website.
• “Study visa that lets you work full time”. Student visas in major destinations limit work hours. An offer built around full-time work is usually a job offer dressed up as study.
• Pressure to decide today because “slots are closing”.

Red Flags at a Glance

Study Offers That Are Really Job Offers

Some schemes advertise “study and work” abroad but are recruitment for jobs, often with large upfront fees. Agencies recruiting workers are licensed by the National Employment Authority, not CUE. Our guide to jobs in Saudi Arabia safety checks explains how to check job agencies and stay safe. For local jobs, browse JobinKenya.

If You Have Already Been Conned

1. Stop paying. Scammers often ask for “one last fee” to release a visa or refund.
2. Collect evidence: receipts, M-Pesa messages, chats, letters, and the agent’s names and numbers.
3. Report to the police at your nearest station and get an OB number.
4. Report the agency to CUE, especially if it is unlicensed or misused a licence.
5. Contact the university if your offer letter was faked, so they can flag the agent.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a study abroad agency is legit in Kenya?

Check that the agency and its exact branch appear as valid on the latest CUE list of licensed student recruitment agencies. Then confirm your admission directly with the university.

Is it safe to pay a study abroad agent by M-Pesa?

Service fees can be paid by M-Pesa to a registered company till or paybill, with a receipt. Tuition should go directly to the university.

Can an agent guarantee me a student visa?

No. Only the destination country’s embassy or immigration authority decides on visas.

What if my agency is “awaiting renewal” on the CUE list?

It applied to renew but had not been confirmed when the list was published. Ask for the new licence before you pay.

Do I need an agent to study abroad?

No. You can apply to most foreign universities directly through their websites. A good licensed agent can save time, but it is optional.