A15 Member – Finland and First Choice ad hoc committee oversees petition
The 15 Member - Finland and First Choice ad hoc commitee joined in by the Hon.Philip K. Muigei- Speaker, Uasin Gishu County Assembly started receiving hearings and petitions from the Public on 9th January.
By James Gitaka
Victims of the First Choice Recruitment agency and the Finland scholarship program may finally find justice after two petitions were tabled before an ad hoc committee formed by the Uasin Gishu County assembly to look into their long unending battles.
This comes after several residents of Uasin Gishu County had applied for education and employment opportunities in Western and Middle East Countries.
Close to 4,000 Kenyans that were promised to travel to Qatar before the FIFA world Cup 2022 were affected.
“Yesterday and today we have had very sound and cordial participation with the county assembly about some matters of concern and we want to appreciate the committee members. It has been in the public domain for quite some time over these issues of Finland Scholarships and First Choice Recruitment and consultancy . At some point, we decided to petition the county assembly and we had our time to furnish the powerful committee with all the evidence and affidavits against the Company .” said Reuben Arap Koech, the lead petitioner.
Citing a right of reply, the ad hoc committee has called on representatives from the First Choice Agency to clarify allegations raised by the petitioner before issuing their final report.
“We have received two petitions, one on the Finland scholarship program and another on First Choice Agency. Things that stood out are serious in nature and as leaders we were not aware of. As a committee, we will accord First Choice management an opportunity to explain themselves to the committee and afterward we will give our verdict. noted Hon Muya Mwangi, the Vice chair of the ad hoc committee.
“First, I want to thank our leaders for filing a petition on this matter. We are pleading with our County leadership to bring us justice.This matter has affected many including even those from neighboring counties,” remarked Patrick Yego, a resident of Kamagut Ward.
Kimutai Kirui a human Rights Activist has Called for the streamlining of Recruitment agencies that have turned out to be cash cows taking advantage of lack of laws and regulations guiding on how the process should be conducted within the County and across the Country.
“We are from the county assembly over an issue to do with a petition on agencies that promised our youth job and employment opportunities overseas after collecting their money. This initiative has been running since 2018, there are those who traveled but we seek justice for those who never traveled despite making the payment. We filed our petition to the County Assembly and now we await the verdict.” Added Kimutai Kurui.
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