Most fake jobs in Kenya end in the same place: a small M-Pesa payment for registration, a medical, a uniform or training, then another one after that. The Public Service Commission says it doesn't charge any fee for job applications, shortlisting, interviews or appointments. This check goes through the warning signs one at a time. It can't tell you that a job is real, and it never says that a company is a fraud.
How do I know if a job offer is fake?
Look at what they ask of you, not how the offer looks. Logos, stamps and staff names are easy to copy. The strongest signs are being asked to pay, someone offering to secure the job through a contact, and requests for your M-Pesa PIN or a one-time code. Any one of these is enough to stop.
How do I check an employer myself?
- Find the employer's website yourself instead of using a link in the message, and look for the job on its careers page.
- Call a number you found yourself, not the one you were given. Ask if the post and the person are real.
- For a government post, look for the advert on the employer's own site. The PSC, county boards and TSC each have their own.
- For an agency, ask for its registration details and the name of the employer.
What about real costs, such as a certificate of good conduct?
Some official documents have an official fee, and you pay it to the issuing agency through its own process. That's different from paying a recruiter. If someone says they'll get it for you, or wants the money on their personal line, don't pay.
What should I do if I've already paid?
- Stop paying, even if they say one more payment will release your job or your refund.
- Save the advert, messages, phone numbers and M-Pesa confirmation messages.
- Contact your mobile money provider or bank straight away, through its official line.
- Report it to the DCI on its Fichua line, 0800 722 203, or on WhatsApp, 0709 570 000, or at a police station.
- If you shared a password or code, change your passwords from a device you trust.
What does the result mean?
Stop means you answered yes to a sign that's serious on its own. High means several signs add up. Caution means a question is worth checking. No warning signs means only that none came up, so keep checking. We don't check companies or people, and a real company can have its name copied by someone else.
Questions people ask
Do real employers in Kenya ask for money?
A real employer pays you. Applying is free, and nobody should pay for a job. Official documents may carry a fee, but that goes to the agency that issues them.
Where do I report a job scam in Kenya?
To the DCI on its Fichua line, 0800 722 203, or on WhatsApp, 0709 570 000, or at your nearest police station.
Can this tool tell me a job is real?
No. It shows warning signs. Only the employer can confirm a job, through a contact you found yourself.
Does Work.ke check every job?
We check adverts against their sources, but we can't vouch for every step after you apply. If you see a problem with an advert here, please tell us.
Sources
Checked 2 November 2026.