The Deputy Director for Corporate Services at the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA), Timothy Nderitu, has disclosed that the agency has launched an investigation into a recruitment firm based in Eldoret, known as First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy. This firm is accused of defrauding young people of over Ksh 1 billion by falsely promising them overseas employment opportunities.
During a session with the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Nderitu indicated that the investigation has raised concerns about potential money laundering activities, particularly following the withdrawal of Ksh 300 million from various bank accounts linked to the firm. He noted that Judy Jepchirchir, the director of First Choice Recruitment, is associated with eleven other companies, either as a co-director or a signatory on their bank accounts. This connection has led the agency to further investigate a possible money laundering operation aimed at concealing the origins of the illicit funds.
According to ARA documentation, the investigation points to a sophisticated money laundering scheme designed to hide the proceeds of crime, which may take considerable time to unravel due to its complexity. Nderitu informed the committee that the agency has identified seven additional suspects connected to the case and is working to establish the links between these individuals and the fraudulent activities.
Preliminary findings suggest that Jepchirchir and her associates have registered their suspected illicit assets under proxies, which ARA is currently profiling. Nderitu stated, “First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency Limited operated seven bank accounts across five different banks. Between February 19, 2020, and May 11, 2023, these accounts received approximately Ksh 300 million, with most of the funds withdrawn in cash just below the reporting threshold, clearly indicating a money laundering scheme as defined under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2009.”
In response to these developments, the Senate committee has expressed its commitment to strengthening regulatory frameworks to prevent such fraudulent schemes in the future. They are considering recommendations for more stringent oversight of recruitment agencies and enhanced protection for job seekers to avoid similar scams. The situation remains dynamic as ARA continues its investigations, and further updates are anticipated as more information emerges regarding the extent of the fraud and the involvement of other parties.
