ARA freezes assets of First Choice director Judy Jepchirchir in Sh1B overseas jobs scam
“The Respondent is hereby directed to surrender the original logbooks of the motor vehicles … forthwith but not later than 14 days
First Choice Managing Director(C) Judy Jepchirchir dancing with some of the successful job seekers at a past event/File Photo
The Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) has frozen assets linked to Judy Jepchirchir, director of First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency Limited, over allegations of defrauding Kenyans with fake overseas job offers. Chepchirchir has been ordered to surrender vehicle logbooks and specified motor vehicles within 14 days, with ARA granted authority to seize them if she fails to comply. Additionally, two land plots in Eldoret have been placed under caveat, prohibiting any sale or transfer.
ARA’s Acting Director‑General Mark Ogonji stated in a gazette notice:
“The Respondent is hereby directed to surrender the original logbooks of the motor vehicles … forthwith but not later than 14 days … In the event the Respondent fails to surrender … the Applicant be at liberty to seize, detain and take custody of the motor vehicles…” Capital FM
Furthermore, Ogonji directed that a caveat be registered with the National Transport and Safety Authority to block any transfers of the identified motor vehicles. Chepchirchir’s two Eldoret land parcels have also been secured through caveat registration.
First Choice Recruitment has been under official scrutiny following multiple investigations. In October 2024, ARA disclosed it was probing 27 bank accounts linked to key suspects amid concerns of money laundering and financial misconduct. Between February 2020 and May 2023, approximately Sh300 million was processed through these accounts—mostly withdrawn in low‑denomination cash, below reporting thresholds. Citizen ARA identified four properties across Nairobi, Eldoret, and Machakos believed to be purchased using illicit funds.
In parallel, a Senate committee previously ordered the recruitment agency to refund Sh1 billion allegedly collected from vulnerable youth in counties including Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nakuru, and Elgeyo Marakwet. The committee found that thousands of young Kenyans paid between Sh40,000 and Sh650,000 for non‑existent jobs in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup period. The committee called for the company and its affiliates to be blacklisted for at least five years.
According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency was officially derecognized and remains on the government’s growing blacklist of fake recruitment outfits. As of May 2025, at least 32 agencies—including First Choice—are barred from operating in Kenya. Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua warned jobseekers to verify agencies through the National Employment Authority (NEA) portal. Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC)
Senator Samson Cherargei criticized the initial DPP charge sheet as insufficient, calling for more stringent counts such as forgery and witness intimidation charges. DCI has since recommended that Jepchirchir face charges for obtaining money by false pretenses under Kenyan Penal Cod
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