Accreditation of Employment Agencies

Employment agencies are registered by the Government under the National Employment Bureau.

Requirements for Accreditation

• Copies of National Identity Cards of the Director(s)
• Work Permit(s) if the director(s) is a non-Kenyan
• Current license by the County Government in the area of operation.
• A lease/Tenancy agreement
• Certificate of Good Conduct from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for the Director(s)
• Tax compliance certificate.

Other services provided on foreign employment include the following:

• Pre-departure training
• Rehabilitation of returnees
• Foreign attestation
• Certificate indicating membership in a recognized association of the recruitment agencies.
• Two Passport Size Photos of the Director(s)

Process of Accreditation

• The applicant will be required to make an inquiry with the Director of Employment (DE) - National Employment Authority or the County Employment Officer (CEO) where the requirements are explained.
• The applicant will then submit a written application which shall be accompanied by originals and copies of the documents cited in the requirements.
• Upon receipt of the application, the DE will enter the details in the accreditation application register.
• Within seven days the DE will then send an Employment Officer to visit the premises of the agency to conduct inspection.
• During the inspection of the premises the EO will inspect the following:
• Staffing
• The premises
• Office facilities and Equipment.
• Licenses
• Upon inspection of the premises and within a period of five days, the Employment Officer/County Employment Officer will prepare and submit a report to the DE
• Upon being satisfied that the applicant meets all the laid down requirements, the DE will within a period of 10 days after the receipt of the inspection report grant a certificate of Accreditation to the applicant.
• The DE will inform the applicant of the need to renew the certificate at least one month before the expiry date if they wish to remain in the Register.
• The DE will then communicate to the applicant requiring them to collect the certificate in person or a written authority in the case the certificate is to be collected by the their agent.
• The DE will also issue a forwarding letter and a copy of the Statistical Return Forms to the successful applicant for those engaged in both local and foreign labour market.
• In the event that the DE determines that the applicant does not meet the reequirements, the DE declines to issue the Accreditation Certificate and shall inform the applicant of the decision within a period of 10 days and gives the reasons.

Note: All certificates shall expire on the last day of the year unless cancelled, revoked or suspended for violation of applicable relevant laws, rules or other pertinent issues prior to expiry date.

Renewal of accreditation certificates

• A recruitment agency will send a written application for renewal to the DE/CEO which shall be accompanied by originals and copies of the following documents:
  • Previous Accreditation certificate
  • Current license by the local authority in the area of operation.
• In deciding whether to consider the application, the DE will take into consideration the following:
  • Compliance to the Guidelines on Operating an Employment Agency
  • Any complaints lodged against the agency
  • Inspection in case of change in office location or Management
  Upon being satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements, the DE will renew the Accreditation Certificate within a period of 10 days after the receipt of the application.
• In the event that the DE is not satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements for renewal of the certificate, the DE shall decline to renew the certificate and inform the applicant, giving reasons and indicate on the register.