Recruitment agency director charged with swindling Ksh.20M from UK job seekers

Alphonse Kioko Kivindu, 58, who runs Amble Beginning Consult Limited, was arraigned before Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo at the Milimani Law Courts.

He denied 12 counts ranging from conspiracy to commit a felony, obtaining money by false pretences, to acquiring proceeds of crime.

The court heard that between January 2023 and February 2024, Kivindu is said to have collected Ksh.18.5 million from Joyce Wambui Njihia after assuring her he could secure her a job in the UK.

In separate transactions, he is alleged to have taken Ksh.200,000 from Frasiah Wambui Kinyua on April 13, 2023, Ksh.500,000 from Mary Waithira Mburu between April 11 and 18, 2023, and Ksh.850,000 from Agnes Wanjiku Mandu between June and November 2023, all on the same promise of UK jobs that never materialised.

Prosecutors told the court that the money allegedly received amounted to proceeds of crime, a charge brought under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act. The false pretences counts are anchored on Section 313 of the Penal Code.

Kivindu was arrested on November 3, 2026 by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations near Machakos.

His lawyer asked the court to grant him lenient bail, saying he is not a flight risk and is ready to attend court.

Magistrate Onsarigo ordered him released on a bond of Ksh.5 million or alternative cash bail of Ksh.1 million, plus two contact persons.

The case will be mentioned for pre-trial directions, with the prosecution set to supply the defence with witness statements and documentary exhibits.