Wanted ‘con’ preacher Wanjohi, directors of three firms linked to job scam barred from flying out

Wanjohi, the proprietor of Worth Start Africa who is on the run is alleged to have received over Ksh.600 million from more than 4,000 job seekers, while Alphonce Kioko, Sheila Kavaya and Nancy Gathoni have been accused of collecting over Ksh.800 million from unsuspecting Kenyans in search of greener pastures abroad. 

Detectives are also in the process of stopping Wanjohi from disposing of his properties believed to be proceeds of crime.

Last week, sleuths from the Nairobi area conducted a raid at Worth Start Africa where they carted away eight Mac desktops, safes and documents to aid in investigations into the over Ksh.600 million job scam the offices remain closed with banners outside.

Citizen TV spoke to some of the victims visiting the offices unaware of the unfolding events getting a shock of their lives.

One man paid over Ksh.100,000 for his relative to travel abroad for a job, but for the last one month, he has been visiting the offices to check on the progress only getting promise after promise that his documents will be ready in three months.

Efforts to call those who were handling his case were futile as their phones went unanswered. 

The relative joined a list of more than 4,000 Kenyans who paid between Ksh.100,000 to 140,000 to Pastor Wanjohi's company with the hope of securing jobs abroad.

Detectives in the Nairobi area have launched a manhunt for the preacher known for his flashy lifestyle and top-of-the-range cars.

In their pursuit, police through the Immigration Department have put a stop order for Pastor Wanjohi not to leave the country as the probe into the scam continues. 

Others in the stop order are Alphonse Kioko, and Sheila Kavaya who are associated with Amble Beginnings Consult Limited and Nancy Gathoni, the proprietor of Zuri Overseas Travel Agency. 

The three are alleged to have received over Ksh.800 million from Kenyans with a promise of offering job opportunities abroad.

Pastor Wanjohi, Kioko and Gathoni are being pursued by police after they went under following a sting operation by detectives at their companies.

Kavaya has since recorded a statement with police who are investigating the case. 

Detectives have also put a caveat on three high-end vehicles registered in the name of Pastor Wanjohi. Police believe that the vehicles a Toyota Landcruiser V8, Toyota Prado and Jeep Wrangler were bought using proceeds of crime.

Nairobi Regional Criminal Investigations Boss Peter Njeru has told Citizen TV that his officers are investigating over 100 companies alleged to be involved in the business of exporting labour without proper documentation from the government.

The National Employment Authority in a list seen by Citizen TV has listed 39 companies including Worthstart Travel Agency which they say are not registered by the authority to operate.