MCAs to Probe First Choice, County Finland Scholarship Program

The Uasin Gishu County Assembly has approved an investigation into the operations of the First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency.

Further, the assembly will also be investigating the county government’s Finland Scholarship program.

There have been questions over the legitimacy of the First Choice Recruitment Agency as well as the county Finland Scholarship program.

While the Eldoret-based agency has been under fire for the last few months, after claims emerged that they had conned hundreds of youths money, on a promise that they will secure jobs abroad, the past county regime has also been on the receiving end over the scholarship program.

According to a communication on the assembly’s official Facebook page, they had received two separate petitions over the two issues.

The Assembly has since approved the petitions.

“The County Assembly is in receipt of two petitions with regard to First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency and the Finland Scholarship Programmes through County Government of Uasin Gishu.”

“The two petitions meet the threshold of a petition in accordance with Uasin Gishu County Petition Procedure, and the standing orders of this honourable house,” read part of the post on December 2, 2022.

With the approval of the two petitions, the Uasin Gishu County Assembly resolved to form an ad hoc committee mandated to investigate the two issues.

Report by January 2023

The committee will be chaired by Ainabkoi/Olare MCA Gilbert Chepkong’a.

It has been directed to report back to the County Assembly on January 13, 2023.

“This County Assembly Resolves to constitute an Ad-hoc Committee chaired by Hon. Gilbert Chepkonga’, to investigate the two issues and report back to the house on 13th January 2023,” read part of the post.

“The public is encouraged to provide information on the same as the committee works to amicably settle the issues raised,” the County Assembly added.

Fake jobs

It is estimated that at least 4,000 youths were conned into the alleged fake jobs that First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy promised its customers.

• Job Applicants Stranded As First Choice Recruitment Agency Closes Office

Each of those promised to get jobs, mostly in Qatar was paying at least Ksh40,000.

Controversies over the Finland Scholarship program relate to the cost, where those flying abroad were to cater for their own expenses, with no support from the county, despite the program being tagged as a county initiative.

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