The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has proposed charging Judy Chepchirchir, director of First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency Limited, with obtaining money through false pretenses. This follows allegations that the agency defrauded jobseekers out of over Sh1 billion in Eldoret.
However, senators have criticized these proposed charges as insufficient and are calling for more serious charges, such as forgery and witness intimidation. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei emphasized the need for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) to reconsider and tighten the charges.
At a Senate Labour Committee meeting, Assistant Inspector of Police Paul Wachira presented the findings of the DCI’s investigation, noting that the file had been sent back to the DPP for the second time after initial shortcomings. Wachira stated that 201 victims had provided statements, and there were issues with verifying contracts with overseas firms involved.
The recruitment agency, now among 20 others de-registered by the National Employment Authority, had promised World Cup jobs in Qatar to over 8,000 youths in Uasin Gishu County. Jobseekers paid between Sh40,000 and Sh200,000, but the promised jobs never materialized.
On the same day, senators fined Chepchirchir Sh500,000 for failing to attend Senate summons, an issue compounded by previous instances of her skipping similar calls. The Senate committee had previously revealed a significant scam involving the agency, recommending that it be blacklisted for at least five years.
The committee detailed how jobless youths, including boda boda operators and casual laborers, sold their property to secure jobs abroad. Kelvin Kipngetich, for example, paid Sh40,400 for a security guard position in Qatar, while Sammy Boiro sold his bike to afford the agency’s fee.
Senators accused the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), ODPP, and the Commission for Administrative Justice (CAJ) of obstructing investigations. EACC claimed the matter was outside their jurisdiction, focusing instead on penal code issues. CAJ said they needed three months to investigate, while the DPP was criticized for sending representatives instead of attending in person.
Cherargei accused the authorities of protecting Chepchirchir, suggesting she is untouchable due to influential backers. Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and nominated Senator Gloria Orwaba echoed concerns about the effectiveness and accountability of the EACC and ODPP.
Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo questioned why DPP Renson Igonga left abruptly when expected to appear before the committee, and nominated Senator George Mbugua expressed frustration with EACC’s lack of interest in the case.
