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Kenya has successfully brought home 119 of its citizens who were stranded in Myanmar after falling victim to fraudulent job schemes, according to the State Department for Diaspora Affairs. The returnees are part of a larger group of Kenyans who were lured to Southeast Asia with promises of well-paying jobs, only to find themselves trapped in organized online scam operations.
The government said efforts are still ongoing to rescue the remaining Kenyans. A total of 198 citizens are waiting to be repatriated. Among them, 66 are being held at Thailand’s immigration detention center after crossing the border, while 129 others are staying in temporary shelters in Myanmar. Kenyan officials are also in contact with three additional citizens who are receiving protection at a Caritas Catholic safe house in Cambodia.
According to the State Department, the rescue operation has not been without challenges. At least 86 Kenyans who were initially placed in military-controlled shelters in Myanmar reportedly refused to cooperate with authorities. Some demanded that the government fully cover their travel costs, while others were accused of spreading misleading information on social media, which complicated coordination efforts and delayed their return.
The Kenyans were reportedly recruited through fake online job advertisements that promised attractive salaries and safe working conditions. Instead, they were taken to heavily guarded compounds in remote parts of Myanmar’s Karen State, near the border with Thailand. These areas are known to host criminal networks that run online fraud schemes targeting victims across the world. Foreign nationals, including Africans and Asians, are often forced to work long hours under threats, intimidation, and restricted movement.
The Kenyan government explained that these scam networks operate in areas with weak law enforcement and are sometimes protected by local armed groups. This makes rescue efforts difficult and dangerous. Victims are often moved between locations, and communication with the outside world is tightly controlled.
In September, Myanmar authorities carried out raids on several scam compounds, an operation that sparked clashes with rebel groups controlling parts of the region. As a result, many criminals fled, abandoning foreign workers who were left stranded. More than 200 Kenyan victims were either placed in military shelters in towns such as Myawaddy and Shwe Kokko or escaped across the border into Thailand seeking help.
Following the raids, the Kenyan government moved quickly after receiving an initial list of 126 affected citizens. Diplomatic teams worked with authorities in Myanmar and Thailand to verify identities, secure travel documents, and organize flights back home. However, officials noted that seven Kenyans are still awaiting new travel arrangements after canceling their bookings at the last minute.
The rise of such scam operations has been linked to Myanmar’s political instability following the 2021 military coup, which plunged the country into civil war. Since then, criminal groups have expanded their activities in border regions where government control is weak. These areas have become hubs for cybercrime, human trafficking, and forced labor, affecting victims from many countries.
The Kenyan government has urged citizens to be cautious when seeking jobs abroad, especially through social media or unverified agents. Officials emphasized the importance of confirming job offers through licensed recruitment agencies and government offices before traveling. The State Department reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Kenyans overseas and continuing efforts to bring all stranded citizens home safely.