Gov’t bans deployment of new hires to Kenya

MANILA, Philippines - The government has banned the deployment of newly hired overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kenya after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised crisis Alert Level 2 in the African country.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issued a resolution suspending the processing and deployment of new hires to Kenya.

The ban, however, does not include those working for the United Nations and its affiliate agencies.

The POEA said vacationing Filipino workers are allowed to return to Kenya.

The DFA had raised crisis Alert Level 2 in Kenya due to the worsening security there. 

Under Alert Level 2, Filipinos should restrict non-essential movement, avoid public places and prepare for evacuation if needed.

The Somalia-based al-Shabaab linked to al-Qaeda, has been carrying out attacks in Kenya.