- Cherarkey suggested the director should also face charges of forgery, data protection violations and intimidation.
- Wachira said they have recommended Chepchirchir be charged under Section 313 of the Penal Code.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Senators are outraged at the charges the DCI wants preferred against First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency director Judy Chepchirchir.
DCI has recommended Chepchirchir, who is at the centre of a fake job racket, be charged with obtaining money by false pretences, which carries a maximum sentence of three years.
More than 5,000 people are claiming they were defrauded by the agency, which promised them overseas job placements, particularly in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, Assistant Inspector General of the DCI Paul Wachira said they have recommended Chepchirchir be charged under Section 313 of the Penal Code.
He revealed that 201 victims who claim they were defrauded Sh8 million have recorded statements with them.
George Mbugua, the vice chairman of the Committee, questioned whether the DCI was being lenient considering the scale of the alleged scam.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei suggested the director should also face charges of forgery, data protection violations, and intimidation.
Senators questioned whether Chepchirchir was receiving special protection. She is set to appear before members on October 3.
Last year, in October, the committee directed the agency to refund Sh1 billion that the youth were allegedly defrauded.
The committee also wants property owned by the company’s directors, Jepchirchir and Faith Wariga, repossessed by the Assets and Recovery Agency if they do not refund the said amount.
During the session with the senators this week, the Assets Recovery Agency requested three months to enforce the committee’s recommendations.
Grade 9 preparedness
Meanwhile, MPs have expressed concerns over the preparedness of the government to transition the pioneer competency-based curriculum (CBC) class to Grade 9 in January 2025.
Kathiani MP Robert Mbui said the transition to Grade 9 poses a significant challenge for both parents and the education sector.
"Putting up the classrooms and other facilities like laboratories by December 2024 before the start of Grade 9 lessons in January 2025 is highly in doubt,” he said.
Kasipul Kabondo MP Eve Obara raised concerns about the shortage of teachers and the lack of adequate training for those who are currently teaching the CBC curriculum.
Births and Death Registration Bill
During the week, the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was Read for the First Time in the National Assembly.
The Bill seeks to improve access to birth and death registration services across Kenya by establishing at least one registration office in each constituency.
There are 143 such offices, making it difficult for many Kenyans to obtain essential documents like birth and death certificates.
If enacted, Kenyans, particularly those living in rural areas and marginalised communities will reduce the time and effort required to obtain the documents
The documents are essential for accessing education, healthcare, employment, and other social services.