Alfred Mutua, the Labour Cabinet secretary nominee, has denied links with Judy Jepchirchir, the director of the First Choice Recruitment agency.
During his vetting by the National Assembly Committee on Appointments on Sunday, August 4, Mutua was put to task to explain his relationship with Jepchirchir, accused of conning job seekers through her recruitment agency.
Mutua denied personally knowing Jepchirchir, saying he met her once at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) and introduced her to President William Ruto.
“I don’t know Jepchirchir personally. I only met her once at KICC when I served as a Foreign Affairs CS. Her stand was close to that of the Labour Ministry, and someone told me what she was doing to create jobs. That is how I introduced her to President William Ruto then. But I don’t know her and I have never met her again. Later on, I saw in the media what was happening,” Mutua said.
Jepchirchir has been on the spot for allegedly scamming Eldoret residents millions of shillings
In 2023, young job seekers in Eldoret took to the streets to demand a refund of the money they had paid to the agency.
Over 10,000 youths from Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties said that the agency defrauded them over KSh 400 million in the overseas job programme
Jepchirchir admitted to failing to take people to Qatar and shared how the money received was spent, saying most people changed their contract while others are due for a refund.
The businesswoman said the applicants on a short-term contract paid a KSh 10,000 medical fee (non-refundable) and a KSh 30,000 service charge.