Labor and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary nominee Alfred Mutua has denied any acquaintance with Judith Chepchirchir, the CEO of First Choice Employment Agency. He was responding to a question from a member regarding his relationship with Chepchirchir, whom he allegedly introduced to the president during an event at KICC.
Chepchirchir gained notoriety for her involvement in the controversial overseas employment agency in Uasin Gishu in August 2023. During his vetting appearance, Mutua clarified that he met her for the first time at the event attended by President William Ruto and stated, “I have never met her again since then.”
“We had a function at KICC where we had different stands, that of the Foreign Affairs was next to that of Labor and I had never met this,” he said.
“The minister then was showcasing the programs they had, and when the president came we were told to combine the two issues of labor because of Diaspora at that time…I was there with my PS and others and I was introducing the president to the people who were presenting and if you watch the clip, I didn’t even know her name and she introduced herself,” Mutua said.
The former Cabinet Secretary was the second nominee to appear before the Committee on Appointments, chaired by Moses Wetangula, for vetting. Mutua is among 10 former Cabinet Secretaries seeking to return to the cabinet if approved.
Chepchirchir is known for her involvement in the Uasin-Gishu County education scholarship program, where parents are reportedly alleging financial losses. In a previous statement, she clarified that her agency does not facilitate education opportunities or send workers to Finland.
“We secure employment opportunities in countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom only,” Chepchirchir emphasized.
She also asserted that some politicians are attempting to undermine her business and mentioned that she had already refunded money to 448 potential workers who were unable to secure the promised employment. Chepchirchir insisted that she had nothing to hide.
