Police Probe Recruitment Fraud That Duped 34 Youths With False KDF Jobs
This confirmation has strengthened police suspicion that the Maili tisa operation was entirely fraudulent.
Uasin Gishu County Commander Benjamin Mwanthi. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The authorities have launched a full-scale investigation after 34 youths were rescued in the Maili Tisa area following an elaborate recruitment scam that falsely promised them employment. Police say the group, all young men from Mulot in Bomet County, had been misled by suspected conmen who claimed to have secured job placements for them at the Recruit Training School.
Uasin Gishu County Commander Benjamin Mwanthi confirmed the incident, describing it as a “well-coordinated con scheme” targeting desperate job seekers in Bomet and surrounding areas.According to Mwanthi, the youths were intercepted while being transported in three matatus, which have since been detained to aid ongoing investigations. The police are now tracking those who hired the vehicles, as they are believed to have played a direct role in facilitating the movement of the unsuspecting victims.
“These youths are not in custody, but they are recording statements with us so we can understand the full nature of the deception,” Mwanthi stated. “We want to know who recruited them, who coordinated their movement, and who paid for their transportation.”
Police authorities told the press that the victims had been made to believe they were being taken for official processing at RTS as part of what they were told was a special recruitment exercise. Some of the youths are suspected to have parted with money to the fraudsters, convinced the payment would guarantee entry for them into what they were made to believe was a genuine military opportunity.
Inspector mwanthi have confirmed that all the rescued youths have been safely accounted for and are currently recording statements to help investigators piece together the events leading up to the incident. Officers believe the conmen exploited the victims’ desire for jobs, especially in the disciplined forces, whose recruitment opportunities are usually limited and highly competitive.
In a significant clarification, KDF has said no replacement or additional recruitment exercise is going on. The military clarified that official recruitment and receiving of new recruits had been concluded and no persons were being recalled to fill positions. This confirmation has strengthened police suspicion that the Maili tisa operation was entirely fraudulent.
Investigations Expand Across Counties
With the youths having been found in Kajiado County, investigators there are now working closely with security teams in Mulot Bomet County to find out the source of the scheme. Because all the victims are from the same locality, police believe the mastermind of the scheme must have targeted the community through local contacts who promised them life-changing opportunities that never existed.
The authorities have asked the people to stay alert and verify all the news of recruitment to security agencies through proper channels. They also warned that fraudulent schemes continue to appear, normally targeting desperate job-seekers. The police say the investigation is still ongoing and will not stop until the culprits are identified, apprehended, and brought to book. More updates are expected as the multi-agency teams advance the inquiry.
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