Another multi-million saga hits Uasin Gishu County: Residents paid for non-existent jobs abroad

Uasin Gishu County is on the spotlight for yet another saga, this time revolving around a potential employment scam.

A number of youthful job seekers are demanding justice after they were allegedly swindled by a recruitment agency that had promised them jobs abroad.

Some of the jobseekers who spoke to Citizen TV claimed that they paid thousands of shillings to a company named First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency to secure placement for various job opportunities overseas only for them to be taken round in circles.

According to a report by the Ad Hoc Committee of the County Assembly investigating the matter, the petitioners had submitted that a company named First Choice Consultancy and Recruitment Agency had advertised the jobs on social media and roadshows, and later during its mega launch that took place on 20th May, 2021 in Eldoret in an event that was graced by prominent leaders.

Most of them had applied for a six months contract job in Qatar to work during the FIFA world cup 2022. The communicated date of travel came and passed but nothing was communicated to the successful applicants with their several visits to the Agency’s office to make inquiries on the status of the travel allegedly hitting a dead end.

"Most people paid Ksh.40,000 to be in Qatar for the period of World Cup, some were paying 200,000 to be in Qatar for the period of 2 years and as the issue unfolded we also realised that there we’re people who were supposed to go to UK who were paying 650,000 and most of these people, among the people we interviewed none went," says Kimutai  Kirui, a human rights activist.

The petitioners also allege that their efforts to demand refunds from the agency have been fruitless and marred with threats and intimidation

According to Kimutai Kirui, several street protests staged by the victims have failed to bear any fruit prompting them to present a petition to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly seeking intervention.

The petitioners had prayed that the county assembly: (Graphics) Ensures that the agency refunds the petitioners’ monies and return their passports, ascertain whether there was criminal liability or fraud by the agency and take action and to ascertain the legal establishment of the Company

"You are never told what you are signing so you are not sure what you are going to do there. There are terms of reference but they are never told. Unaulizwa tu umesomea nini... nimesomea hii you can be a manager but you are not given a real form to sign what you are going to do," adds Kimutai

The petitioners also claim that they are lured into signing agreements which lack clarity

In its recommendations, the ad hoc committee advised that in order to avert such cases the National Employment Authority (NEA) should conduct thorough due diligence on these Recruitment Agencies before issuing certificates of registration.

NEA was also tasked to investigate First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency and if found culpable take necessary action including revoking its license.

The committee also wants the director First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency to refund the monies paid by the applicants and return applicants’ passports, original documents and other testimonials in their possession with immediate effect.