Rogue employees are involved in the cartels behind the fake employment scam affecting the Homa Bay County Government.
It has also come to light that the county’s disciplinary committee recently summoned four senior officers after they were accused of defrauding job seekers of over Sh800,000 through a fraudulent employment scheme.
The county government has initiated investigations into the fake employment scams that have caused job seekers to lose millions to fraudsters.
Investigations further reveal that a former county officer allegedly printed over 20,000 employment letters before their dismissal, which the fraudsters have been using to deceive job seekers.
The focus now shifts to the Human Resources department and three other notorious departments where the fraud is believed to be widespread.
Homa Bay County Public Service Board Chairperson, Mr. Isaya Okoto, confirmed to Western Insight Newspaper that the issue of fake employment has come to his attention, and investigations are underway.
Several innocent job seekers may have lost hundreds of thousands of shillings due to employment scams at the Homa Bay County government.
“We have received complaints of job seekers being defrauded, and some of the culprits are rogue county employees. We urge victims to provide evidence so we can address this issue and take disciplinary action against those involved,” said Okoto.
He added that the board has launched awareness campaigns to ensure job seekers are not defrauded.
Okoto noted that the fraud dates back to the previous regime under Governor Cyprian Awiti, and efforts are underway to clean up the mess.
Sources within the county government revealed to leaked.co.ke that senior officers have been implicated in the fraud, colluding with scammers to defraud victims.
“Some former chief officers continue to work with junior staff to defraud job seekers. This employment scam is a serious issue that must be stopped. We cannot allow our people to suffer at the hands of fraudsters. The situation is dire, and we ask for everyone’s cooperation,” said the sources.
They claimed that some scammers, who do not work for the county, exploit their connections to defraud victims.
Among those affected is a Homa Bay man who lost Sh240,000 in a job scam within the county.
Following his loss, the man has written to Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga detailing his ordeal.
In a letter dated September 26, 2024, Jactone Oduor alleged that an individual, whose identity is withheld for legal reasons, defrauded him of the amount in exchange for an appointment letter for his son, Evance Henry Opiyo, for a Revenue Clerk (I) position on June 12, 2023.
Despite receiving an appointment letter on May 1, 2023, Evance has yet to be employed.
“The above-named is my son, and I write this letter on his behalf as one who was swindled by fraudsters,” reads part of the letter, which was copied to Homa Bay County PSB, Intelligence Office, DCI Homa Bay, and the Homa Bay County Attorney.
“He (Evance) was issued an appointment letter for the position, but it has yet to materialize,” Oduor claimed.
“First, I sent an M-Pesa payment of Sh80,000 as requested by the suspect, who claimed the position was for Revenue Clerk (III),” reads the letter.
“Then he asked for another Sh60,000, arguing that my son was overqualified, being a Commerce graduate with a CPA (IV), and needed to be placed in a Revenue Clerk (I) position,” Oduor further claimed.
Oduor alleged that the suspect insisted he take his son to CBSB immediately after the appointment letter, which had a seal and rubber stamp, was issued.
The suspect demanded a file, certification documents, and another Sh100,000 before handing over the signed appointment letter.
“For the record, the accomplice received Sh100,000 in cash in the presence of my son before handing over the appointment letter,” Oduor alleged.
“A total of Sh240,000 was paid to the suspects, who allegedly worked with some CPSB officials,” Oduor added.
“Honorable Governor, I am still stuck at home with my son and kindly request your intervention to ensure my son, Evance, secures the promised job,” Oduor wrote.
The appointment letter, signed by Homa Bay County Secretary and Head of Public Service Prof. Benard Muok, reference number HB/PSB/APP2023/VOL1/10, indicated that Evance was appointed to the Revenue Clerk One position with a salary of Sh31,270 per month, plus allowances.
The letter was also signed by Evance upon receipt.
“I am pleased to inform you that, following the successful interview for the above position, the Public Service Board has approved your appointment as Revenue Clerk One, effective May 1, 2023,” the letter read.
However, Muok stated that the signature on the appointment letter was forged.
“That is not my signature. It’s fake, and I’m unsure whether those individuals work for the county government, but it’s hard to help when people are conned outside,” Muok said.
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