CAJ Recommends Disciplinary Action Against Senior Police, NEA Officials Over First Choice Agency Scam
The Commission directed the National Police Service Commission to institute appropriate disciplinary proceedings and submit a compliance report within six months.
Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) Chief Executive Officer Charles Dulo hands over the First Choice Agency investigation report to victims of the recruitment scam and human rights activist Kimutai Kirui during the official commissioning of the CAJ North Rift Regional Office in Eldoret on Thursday. Photo: Achieng Kemuma.
By James Gitaka
The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), Office of the Ombudsman, has recommended disciplinary action against senior police officers in Uasin Gishu County and officials of the National Employment Authority (NEA) who were found culpable of negligence, intimidation of complainants, and failure to protect vulnerable job seekers in the First Choice Agency recruitment scandal.
This follows the release of a detailed investigative report by the Commission, stemming from a petition lodged by affected youth and human rights defenders over alleged fraud, regulatory failures, and collusion by law enforcement officers in the operations of First Choice Agency Recruitment and Consultancy.
Speaking on Thursday during the commissioning of the CAJ North Rift Regional Office in Eldoret, CAJ Chief Executive Officer Charles Dulo said the investigation uncovered serious lapses by security agencies that pointed to possible collusion with the agency’s proprietor, Judy Jepchirchir.
“The findings reveal disturbing levels of inaction, intimidation, and administrative negligence by officers who were expected to protect citizens. These lapses created an environment in which fraud thrived, and victims were silenced instead of being assisted,” Dulo said.
Police, NEA Officials Named
According to the report, the Commission found that several senior officers of the National Police Service violated provisions of the National Police Service Act by failing to act on complaints lodged between September and December 2022. Some officers were further accused of threatening and intimidating complainants who sought justice after losing money to the agency.
The officers cited include the former Turbo Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO), the current Turbo Deputy SCCIO, the former Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Eldoret Police Station, and the former Officer Commanding Crime (OC Crime), Eldoret Police Station—now serving in other counties.
The Commission directed the National Police Service Commission to institute appropriate disciplinary proceedings and submit a compliance report within six months.
The probe also extended to the National Employment Authority, where senior officials—including the Director-General and the Director of Labour Migration—were faulted for regulatory failures that allowed First Choice Agency and related unregistered entities to operate unchecked. The Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development has been instructed to take disciplinary action and report back to CAJ.
Youth, Rights Groups Laud CAJ
Human rights activist Kimutai Kirui, who led affected youth through the Centre Against Torture in seeking justice, praised the Commission for standing firm despite what he described as compromised law enforcement systems.
“We thank the CAJ Eldoret office, and specifically Mr Lilaco, for according us support even when security agencies appeared compromised in serving justice to victims of fraud. We hope other independent officers will borrow a leaf from the CAJ and live up to the spirit of serving Kenyans as stipulated in the Constitution,” said Kirui.
Kirui noted that hundreds of young people—many unemployed and desperate for overseas job opportunities—were duped into paying fees of up to KSh40,400 and more, often in cash, without receiving the promised placements.
He cautioned county government officials against endorsing or attending private recruitment forums organised by unregistered agencies, warning that such appearances lend credibility to fraudulent schemes.
“The presence of county officials becomes a marketing tool. Unsuspecting residents assume legitimacy and end up losing their money to unregistered agencies,” he added.
Background: A Widely Reported Employment Scam
The First Choice Agency saga has been widely covered by local media since late 2022, following protests by youth in Eldoret who accused the firm of collecting millions of shillings under the pretext of overseas employment and education opportunities, including alleged links to jobs connected to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Reports by national broadcasters and print media documented prolonged police inaction, alleged harassment of complainants, and delayed investigations, prompting the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare to recommend a formal probe by CAJ in early 2023.
The Commission’s investigation established that the agency operated through roadshows and social media, ran satellite offices across several counties, and used unregistered entities to facilitate recruitment and student placement without proper oversight.
Thousands of Complaints, Land Injustices Also Highlighted
The CAJ disclosed that it has received over 3,000 complaints , many relating to maladministration, labour disputes, and land rights.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea welcomed the expansion of CAJ regional offices, saying it would ease pressure on courts and help resolve long-standing land injustices through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
“Many land-related disputes have clogged our courts for years. This office will help address these injustices faster and more amicably through mediation and other ADR mechanisms,” Kapkea said.
The Commission reiterated its call for legislative reforms, expedited completion of investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the blacklisting of First Choice Agency and its director from future registration.
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