A recent incident has brought to light the deceptive practices of a recruitment agency in Kenya.
A woman seeking employment in Dubai was defrauded of Ksh 170,000 by Doxtar Consult Limited, owned by Julie Wanjiru Wahome.
The agency promised to secure a job within two weeks, but after receiving the payment, they failed to deliver on their commitment.
As time passed, the promised timelines extended indefinitely without any tangible progress.Frustrated by the delays, the victim requested a refund.
Despite numerous follow-ups over ten months, no refund was issued.
To make matters worse, the agency’s offices became unreachable, leaving the victim with no means to reclaim her money.
She had taken out a loan to make the payment and is now burdened with servicing a debt for a service that was never rendered.
This situation is particularly concerning given the background of the agency’s owner, Julie Wanjiru Wahome.
She is not only a business proprietor but also an aspiring politician.
In the 2022 elections, she contested for the Nairobi Senatorial seat under the Chama Cha Kazi party, a political outfit associated with former cabinet secretary Moses Kuria.
Kuria is currently a Special Senior Advisor in the Council of Economic Advisors to President William Ruto.
The victim, whose identity remains confidential, has appealed for public awareness to prevent others from falling prey to such fraudulent schemes.
She urges the agency to refund her money and hopes that by sharing her experience, others will exercise caution when dealing with similar agencies.
This case underscores the importance of due diligence when engaging with recruitment agencies, especially those promising overseas employment.
Prospective job seekers should verify the legitimacy of such agencies through official channels and be wary of making substantial payments upfront.
Authorities should take stringent measures to regulate and monitor recruitment agencies to protect citizens from exploitation and fraud.
