Canada Sides With Mutua, Flags Fake Job Websites Targeting Kenyans

Canada’s Immigration Department on Tuesday, May 16 issued a warning regarding false immigration programmes targeting Kenyans, most of which have been going viral.

In a statement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expressed its dismay at the alarming increase in disinformation that Canada was offering special programmes to Kenyans.

IRCC noted that Canada did not offer such programmes to Kenyan immigrants and any accurate information on the same can be found through its official website.

A queue at the Department of Immigration Services Passport control office at Nyayo House in Nairobi for application and renewal of Passports. /FILE

"Disinformation is circulating which suggests that special programs are welcoming Kenyan immigrants. This is false, and the immigration programs referenced do not exist.

"For accurate information on how to immigrate, visit http://Canada.ca/immigration," IRCC stated.

The warning came after Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Alfred Mutua raised an alarm regarding fake agencies swindling Kenyans by promising them jobs in Canada.

In a statement, the CS noted that his Ministry was alerted regarding the agencies purporting to act for firms in Canada that are seeking additional labour in the form of workers in the North American country.

To mitigate this, Mutua announced that he would make public a list of approved consultants from the Canadian government to distinguish between real and fake job offers in Canada. 

"Please be careful and wary of agencies that say they are recruiting for Canadian firms. We are aware that some Kenyans have been conned by some agencies and you therefore need to be careful so that you are not swindled.

"I will be providing a list of Canadian Government approved consultants (under the College of Immigration and Citizenship approved consultants)," he announced in part.

The CS further revealed that the job vacancies in Canada as of now exceed the number of available workers and that Kenya would assist in providing opportunities for its citizens to work in Canada.

"Currently, Canada has more employment opportunities than available people to work and we agreed that Kenya can help fill that gap. The process for those who wish to go to Canada is simple but requires one to be diligent," he noted.

Mutua also noted that the two countries are in deep negotiations and would release a comprehensive statement within the next few days with guidance and links agreed upon between the Kenyan and the Canadian Government so that Kenyans can apply for migration or job visas. 

The CS flew to Canada where he held a discussion with the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada and agreed on the various migration opportunity pathways for Kenyans to go and live or work in Canada.

Foreign Affairs CS Alfred Mutua with Mary Ng, Minister of Small Businesses, Export Promotion and International Trade, in Ottawa, Canada on May 16, 2023. /FACEBOOK.ALFRED MUTUA