Eldoret businesswoman charged in Ksh.13 million overseas job scam case

Lenah Jelagat Too, 37, who runs a recruitment company in Eldoret City, appeared before Eldoret Senior Principal Magistrate Kesse Cheronoh.

The suspect is said to have collected from the job seekers' money ranging between Kshs. 300,000 and Kshs. 3.8 million each in exchange for well-paying jobs overseas, only to be left devastated and stranded without travel documents.

Some of the victims were promised nursing, caregiver, security and hotel housekeeping jobs abroad with salaries ranging between Ksh.150,000 and Ksh.500,000 per month.

Ms Too is said to have instructed the unsuspecting and desperate job seeker to pay the money through a bank account number she operates and also through an M-pesa line, which is in her family name.

To win their trust, the suspect told them that they would also be provided with free breakfast, lunch and dinner, complete with free accommodation from their respective employers.

The Magistrate ordered the suspected con artist to be freed on a bond of Ksh. 1 million or pay a cash bail of Ksh. 400,000.

This was after he pleaded to be freed on a reasonable bond or cash bail terms to enable her to start the process of refunding her clients' money that she took after the overseas job promise flopped.

According to the prosecution, the suspect faces several counts related to Section 313 of the penal code of obtaining money running into millions of shillings by false pretense.

Ms Too was arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations ( DCI ) in Kapsabet town, Nandi County, on December 23, 2025 and transferred to Eldoret central police station in Uasin Gishu County.

The suspect informed the court that she wants to enter into a mediation process with the victims with a view to refunding them their hard-earned money instead of going to a full trial in the case matter.

She expressed hope and optimism that her clients would be paid their money before the fraud-related case facing her is heard and determined through the Judicial process.

The matter is scheduled for further direction on February 9, 2026.