The County Assembly of Uasin Gishu on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, adopted a report by an ad-hoc committee that was probing First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency.
The probe followed a petition that had been filed by a section of locals, accusing the agency of conning them millions of shillings, with the promise of securing them jobs during the Qatar World Cup.
After the petition filed by Reuben Chepses and Kimutai Kirui among 14 other victims, the assembly formed an ad-hoc committee chaired by Ainabkoi/Olare Member of County Assembly Gilbert Chepkonga.
The 15-member committee held sessions in which they invited the petitioners and the agency director Juy Chepchichir to shed more light on the matter.
But while the petitioners appeared before the committee, Chepchirchir failed to cooperate and ended up being declared a hostile witness.
The committee later retreated to draft a report that has now been adopted.
Revoke license
Among the key recommendations that the committee made is asking the National Employment Authority (NEA) to revoke the operating license issued to the First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency.
The committee also recommended that the county cancels the business permit that the agency was issued pending investigations and recommendations.
It also asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DPP) to put all petitioners in the matter on a witness protection program until a probe into the agency and its director is concluded.
Further, it asked the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate police officers that were adversely mentioned as among those that were protecting the agency’s director, among the Turbo Sub County Police boss.
The ad-hoc committee further asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate extortion and conning claims against the First Choice director.
It also directed that she refunds all the individuals that applied for the job and never travelled to the expected destination.
Qatar jobs
It is believed over 8,000 job applicants paid about Ksh40,000 each for the Qatar jobs, but a majority of them never travelled outside the country.
While the agency in December 2022 said it had started the process of repaying unsuccessful applicants, the committee notes that some of the victims were issued postdated cheques that were later cancelled.
The Uasin Gishu MCAs are vowing to ensure they follow through on the matter until victims get justice.
Aside from the adoption of the report, the MCAs have hinted at seeking meetings with the county security team, led by the County Commissioner to ensure the matter is handled with the agency it deserves.
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