NAIROBI, Kenya – Victims of the First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency’s fake job racket will have to wait longer for their compensation after the company was linked to money laundering, complicating the investigation.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Judy Jepchirchir, has been implicated in charges related to a money laundering scheme aimed at concealing ill-gotten wealth from the fraudulent job racket.
The Assets and Recovery Agency reported that the consultancy operated seven accounts across five different banks. Between February 2020 and May 2023, these accounts received Sh300 million, with most funds withdrawn in cash amounts below the reporting threshold, raising suspicions of money laundering.
“Our preliminary investigations indicate that Ms. Judy Jepchirchir and her accomplices registered suspected criminal properties using proxies. So far, we have identified some third parties who are being profiled,” stated Timothy Nderitu, the Management Director of the Assets and Recovery Agency.
Jepchirchir, identified as the main suspect, is associated with 11 companies, serving as either a co-director or bank account signatory. Seven suspects are under active investigation, with 27 of their bank accounts currently being analyzed to trace the flow of funds.
“Most accounts show zero balances, while the rest have negligible amounts, despite having transacted large sums during the investigation period,” Nderitu noted.
Despite gathering information on 1,200 victims defrauded by the agency, many of the receipts issued lack direct linkage to First Choice Recruitment, which could hinder the investigation. “Unfortunately, most receipts do not bear the company’s letterhead or official stamp,” Nderitu added.
Four properties located in Nairobi, Eldoret, and Machakos, along with 21 motor vehicles registered under the names of key suspects, have been earmarked, with efforts ongoing to identify more assets.
A report by the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare directed the recruitment agency to refund Ksh. 1 billion allegedly defrauded from thousands of youth in Uasin Gishu County. The committee demanded the repossession of property owned by Jepchirchir and co-director Faith Wariga if they do not refund the amount to over 8,000 youths.
Petitioners claimed that the First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency had taken money from approximately 500 youths to facilitate job placements and studies abroad before the 2022 World Cup. The agency failed to deliver on these promises, leaving the youth and their families in dire financial straits after committing their funds in hopes of securing education and employment opportunities.
