Two suspects nabbed for running fake police recruitment scheme

Desperate for employment, many young Kenyans have in recent years fallen prey to a booming trade in fake job offers, a trade now under fresh scrutiny as two suspects are held over an alleged scam targeting those seeking entry into the National Police Service (NPS).

Police at Parliament Police Station have arrested Evaline Jepchirchir Rotich and Jane Chepkonga Chelanga, following multiple complaints from job‑seekers who claimed to have paid cash in exchange for supposed calling letters and guaranteed police jobs.

The pair are suspects — and have not yet been charged.

Authorities say the two operated largely in the busy Kencom area, offering “guaranteed” NPS placement in return for money.

Acting on credible public information, detectives moved in and recovered Sh 330,200 in cash from the suspects — funds believed to be proceeds of the alleged racket.

According to one officer involved in the operation: “The suspects are assisting us with investigations, and we are exploring all leads to establish the extent of this alleged criminal activity.”

Further investigation pointed to a broader network. Detectives traced activity to Upper Hill, where a third suspect reportedly fled on sighting police.

The individual abandoned a Mazda Station Wagon (registration KDV 862D); inside were two additional fake NPS calling letters — a sign the scam may have involved more persons and been more extensive than initially believed.

The arrested women remain in custody, undergoing processing ahead of possible arraignment.

The abandoned vehicle has been impounded as evidence. Meanwhile, the hunt continues for the fleeing third suspect.

The NPS, via the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), has repeatedly warned the public against falling for fake recruitment adverts.

The commission insists that police recruitment and training are entirely free, and that any genuine call for recruits will be formally announced via its verified website, mainstream newspapers, or official social‑media channels.

Documents and adverts purporting to offer police jobs at a fee are almost always fraudulent.

Common red flags include demands for payment, poor document formatting, unofficial contact details (e.g. personal phone numbers or Gmail accounts), and urgent timelines pressuring applicants to act quickly.

But with youth unemployment high and many young people desperate for stability, unscrupulous con artists exploit the desperation.

In recent months, the Ethics and Anti‑Corruption Commission (EACC) has warned that some families--driven by hope for a better future--have resorted to selling land or borrowing heavily to pay bribes or fees to “facilitators” promising security‑force recruitment.

These practices undermine merit-based recruitment and risk compromising the integrity of security institutions.

As EACC notes, when individuals buy their way into uniformed service, the result may be officers who lack proper vetting, discipline or commitment.

Authorities continue to investigate this case and urge any person who may have been approached by the suspects--or any accomplices--to come forward.

Meanwhile, the public is advised to report all suspected fake recruitment activity to the nearest police station.