- The suspects so far arrested were found at several offices where they operate within the city.
- Mwanthi said security teams are still carrying out a crackdown to arrest more suspects.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Police in Eldoret have so far arrested 12 suspects linked to fraudulent overseas jobs recruitment schemes in the region.
Uasin Gishu county police commander Benjamin Mwanthi says they are hunting for more suspects within and outside Eldoret where thousands of people have fallen victims to the job recruitment scams.
“We will follow them up and ensure they are arrested from wherever they are. We have arrested one prime suspect in Nakuru and are looking for more so that we clear this city of such scams,” he said.
Mwanthi said many cases took time to investigate because victims report complaints years after being conned.
“The victims only come up long after they discover they had been conned. We will not relent until we arrest all those involved.
The suspects so far arrested were found at several offices where they operate within the city.
Mwanthi said security teams are still carrying out a crackdown to arrest more suspects.
Residents in the region are said to have lost more than Sh10 billion in overseas education and foreign jobs scams.
Mwanthi said the arrests followed an outcry from members of the public.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii had also ordered for a crackdown on the suspects whom he said were tarnishing the name of the area to a "city of scammers".
During the ongoing crackdown, DCI officers found scores of unsuspecting job seekers who were still lining up at some offices of rogue agents.
“We urge members of the public that when the deal is sweet, please think twice. However, we assure that all those involved in such scams are apprehended and taken to court,” Mwanthi said.
He said those already arrested had been processed and appeared in court facing charges.
Most of the recruitment agencies targeted are not registered with the National Employment Authority.
Human rights activist Kimutai Kirui who has been following up on the issues, has complained that more than 30 agencies were operating illegally in the town. He accused police of laxity in dealing with those involved.
Two weeks ago, some of the victims camped at the home of one of the prime suspects in pioneer area at night, where they arrested him as he tried to escape.
“If police do not act we will continue to carry out citizens arrest and hand over the suspects to police because we are tired of being told they cannot be found yet they are roaming in town freely,” Kimutai said.
Mwanthi denied knowledge of reports that one of the major suspects involved in a Sh2.4 billion forex business scam had fled to South Sudan.
He said police were following up on reports about the suspects in and out of the country.
Governor Bii has also issued orders to his officers not to register more recruitment agencies without following due diligence to ensure cons do not continue to take advantage of residents.