Police officers in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu county, are hunting for individuals suspected of having conned 34 young people from Mulot, Bomet county.
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi told Uasin Gishu News that the youth had been promised slots in the recently concluded Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment.
They were picked up from Mulot in three matatus and transported to Maili Tisa, in Eldoret, near the Recruits Training School (RTS), where they were allegedly expected to meet KDF officers who would then escort them.
However, Mwanthi said the officers never showed up, leaving the young people, suspected to be from one village, stranded.
“They were tricked into believing that they would be recruited to KDF. All the youth came with matatus and were dropped at Maili Tisa, where they were to wait for a KDF officer whom they were told was flying in from Nairobi,” the police boss said.
“Some said they paid as high as KSh 600,0000,” he added.
The youth were arrested and later released after recording statements. Four suspects, including the drivers of the matatus, are still in police custody, helping with the ongoing investigations.
As the probe into the incident continues, the police boss warned members of the public to be wary of conmen claiming to have the ability to help secure their KDF recruitment.
He noted that KDF and police recruitment have concluded, and there is no one who will help secure the slots.
“They always claim they will help replace them with those who have been removed, but there is nothing like that. Recruitment is always free,” Mwanthi said.
KDF recruits reported to RTS on November 11, 2025, for an extensive training which has already started.
