KISUMU, Kenya, September 23rd– The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has declared a full-scale investigation into a brazen employment scam within the Siaya County government, which saw over 382 aspiring health workers issued fake appointment letters.
The scandal, described by officials as “disturbing” and “heartbreaking,” involved County Public Service Board officials who allegedly orchestrated a massive fraud, far exceeding an approved recruitment quota of just 120 positions.
Abraham Kemboi, the EACC Western Regional Manager, addressed the media in Kisumu on Monday, September 22nd, expressing outrage at the “high level of corruption” that has caused “pain and heartbreak” to young Kenyans.
“This is a result of some officials from Siaya County Public Service Board who lied to many Kenyans,” stated Mr Kemboi.
The anti-graft regional czar added that they were supposed to employ close to 120 employees, but because of the animal called corruption, allegedly, some officials took pride in issuing letters in excess of 300 to unsuspecting Kenyans.
Kemboi revealed that the victims, believing their employment was genuine, have been reporting to work for some time, expecting to be added to the payroll and receive salaries.
Their hopes were dashed when they discovered the letters were illegitimate and the county government had never authorised the extra positions.
“They were duped and conned, thinking they had genuine employment letters,” he said.
The EACC now urges the victims to come forward and cooperate with the investigation, a process previously stalled by their reluctance.
Kemboi assured them of protection, stating they would be treated as witnesses, not accomplices.
“In law, the giver and the taker are equal, but in this scenario, [the victims] will be pardoned,” he explained.
“The officials who occasioned this scandal will bear the greatest responsibility. I want to assure those affected not to fear… they will not be sanctioned by anyone. By coming forward, they will help us get the perpetrators to serve as an example.”
The commission’s first step will be to collect the fraudulent appointment letters for forensic analysis.
“In the course of this week, we will pick all the employment letters… and subject them to scientific verification to get to know who was the original originator,” Kemboi said, noting that the young Kenyans had also lost money in the scam.
Mr Kemboi vowed that the officials who engineered the scam would face severe sanctions, promising “commensurate consequences” for the pain inflicted.
He also issued a caution to job seekers, reminding them that public employment is a procedural process guided by law and to be wary of any irregularities.
