Police IG Koome and CS Bore summoned over First Choice scam!
SENATE-INSIDE/Image Courtesy
Cabinet secretary Ministry of Labour and social protection ,Florence Bore has been summoned this Wednesday alongside the Inspector general of Police Eng. Japeth koome to appear before the Senate standing committee on Labour and Social welfare .
The standing committee is investigating concerns over alleged fraud by an Eldoret based First Choice Recruitment and consultancy agency, whose director Judith Jepchirchir appeared before The Senator Julius Murgor led committee, two weeks ago .
Documents seen by Hubzmedia indicate the Cabinet minister is expected to submit a comprehensive response Wednesday 17th May , in the senate chamber ,Main parliament Building at exactly 10:00 am.
The Committee raised concerns over the regulatory role of The National Employment Authority (NEA) on recruitment agencies and companies.
On 27th April this year when the committee first held a session with Kimutai Kirui a human right activist (the petitioner), and the management of the agency ,close to 8,000 youth are estimated to have been conned billions of shillings after the agency promised to secure for them jobs abroad.
The senate standing committee established under, Senate standing orders 228(3) has also directed the Inspector general of Police to submit a comprehensive report over numerous concerns raised in the Petition regarding mistreatment by the Police in Uasin Gishu County.
The Final Report of the Uasin Gishu County Assembly Ad-Hoc committee released On Tuesday on the First choice Recruitment and Consultancy, has indicated that Judith enjoyed unlawful protection from National Security Agencies, in particular, Mr. Ndhiwa – Directorate Criminal Investigation Officer (DCIO) Turbo Sub-County and Mr. Philip Maswai, Police Officer attached to Central
Police Station. The petitioners also made several attempts to report the issue to the security agencies but were met with uncooperative officers
The Report further notes police officers at Central Police Station were compromised by Ms. Judy Jepchirchir, Director First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency because they were used to intimidate the petitioners. In particular, Sammy Boiro who was arrested and charges were not preferred against him and Laurence Nzuki who was summoned by the Mr. Ndhiwa, Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Turbo Sub County and coerced to sign a termination of contract form in the presence of the Director, First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency
The Committee deduced that she received colossal amounts of money in the form of application fees and other incidental fees. The Committee further observed that with not an ounce of guilt or a sense of integrity or honesty Ms. Judy Jepchirchir, Director, First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy unjustly enriched herself with unsuspecting people’s money, money that was raised by selling assets, mobilizing harambees, loans and savings.
The Committee established a prima facie (on first instance) case that Ms Judy Jepchirchir, Director, First Choice and Recruitment Agency obtained money by false pretence contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code by fraudulently tricking to obtain money from the petitioners. Also, issuing bad cheques contrary to Section 316A (1)(c) of the Penal Code. It has come to the petitioners’ attention that the refund cheque no 000227 issued to Mr. Lawrence Nzuki which was to be cashed on 17th February 2023 has since been dishonoured.
The Committee has further issued 9 recommendations that include:-
-The National Employment Authority (NEA) to investigate the First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency and if found culpable take necessary action including revoking the license issued to it.
-The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI),to investigate allegations of threats of intimidation on Lawrence Nzuki,Sammy Boiro and Kimutai Kirui,and if the allegations are true,Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) to put them on a witness protection program to guarantee their safety during the period that investigation by relevant bodies is being conducted.
– Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate its officers adversely mentioned by the petitioners, Mr. Ndhiwa – Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCIO) Turbo Sub-County and Mr. Philip Maswai – Police Officer attached to Central Police Station and stern action taken against them for gross misconduct.
-The office of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to investigate Ms. Judy
Jepchirchir on the allegations of obtaining money through false pretence, extortion and issuing bad cheques and appropriate action taken against her. Her Personal Assistant,Mathew Kemboi must also be investigated on the allegation of assault or any other criminal culpability.
The director Judith Jepchirchir has been directed by the committee to provide a refund formula in tabular form for each of the 328 candidates before May 15th before appearing in the senate on 17th May.
The petitioner in the words of Philosopher Albert Einstein Notes “The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it”.
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