The Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) has launched an investigation into 27 bank accounts linked to key suspects involved with First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency Limited. These accounts are being scrutinized for potential financial misconduct, including allegations of money laundering and fraud.
First Choice Recruitment has been embroiled in controversy for allegedly defrauding thousands of job seekers by promising overseas employment, particularly in countries like Qatar. Many hopeful candidates paid substantial amounts of money in exchange for these promises but were never offered the jobs they were assured of.
The ARA is working to trace and recover any illicit funds tied to the fraudulent activities.
“Twenty-seven bank accounts belonging to key suspects are being analyzed to track the flow of funds. While most of these accounts have zero balances, some hold negligible amounts, despite having handled large sums during the period of interest in our investigation,” the agency said in a statement.
The investigation began following a petition led by Uasin Gishu County resident Kimutai Kirui, submitted to the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare. The petition called for a thorough investigation into the fraudulent activities of First Choice Recruitment and demanded justice for the victims.
In response, the Senate Committee had previously ordered the recruitment agency to refund over KES 1 billion to victims from Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, who were promised overseas jobs that never came to fruition.
As a further warning, the Ministry of Labour announced on October 3 that First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Limited is not registered with the National Employment Authority (NEA) and is unauthorized to conduct any recruitment activities, cautioning job seekers against engaging with the agency.
