Nyeri Man Allegedly Scammed KSh 55k for Job in Iraq, Turns to Street Vending
- Calvin Nyamweya and Bernard Patrick Gathong'o both lost KSh 55,000 each in an alleged overseas job application scam
- They were promised jobs abroad, with Bernard promised a scaffolding job in Iraq which never materialised
- He was forced to turn into a street vendor after the process fell through, and lost tens of thousands of Kenyan shillings
A young man from Nyeri county is living in anguish after his life drastically changed after his hope for changing his life was dashed.
Source: Facebook
Bernard Patrick Gathong'o was looking forward to a better and transformed life after being promised a job abroad.
He was poised for a scaffolding job opportunity in Iraq, which would see him help his family back home.
Bernard pays KSh 15,000 for medical fees
The distressed man heartbreakingly opened up about being allegedly scammed, leaving him jobless and hopeless.
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"After signing the offer letter in November 2024, I was told to undergo medical checkups where I paid KSh 15,000," he desperately recounted.
He had received the job offer letter a month before signing the paper as his dream to make his life better was within reach.
However, what awaited him and several others were agonising months of waiting anxiously and delays.
How much did Bernard pay the agency?
"On January 15, 2025, I went to pay the balance of KSh 40,000. I found a man by the name Moses who told me to settle the arrears hurriedly as he had been asked for our names so that our visas could be processed," he narrated.
Bernard and other alleged victims claimed that the assurance of flying abroad for job opportunities kept coming.
However, signs of red flags began showing as they waited for the dream jobs to become realities.
Whoever confronted the company regarding the updates and other concerns was told to write formal withdrawal emails with promises of refunds.
For Bernard and many others, the burden was not only financial, as many sold their cattle and pieces of land.
Kisii man allegedly scammed after being promised job abroad
He was forced to become a street vendor as he continues to seek a better job opportunity after the painful incident.
Calvin Nyamweya, a Kisii county resident, lived in hiding after he was unable to return home due to debts.
He had sacrificed a lot to earn the job opportunity that never materialised, leaving him sinking into debt.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua (CS) said he would make submissions to the Senate concerning the same issue.
Netizens react to Kenyans being allegedly scammed
The issue provokes mixed emotions from social media users as they flocked to the comment section to share their views.
David Seeh:
"So why blame the likes of Rish?"
Elisha Keith:
"Scammed by the government, this is a miracle."
Stev Steven:
"Imagine the government facilitating such a scam."
McOchieng Otieno:
"Now, who will save the citizens? If the government that protects them has turned out to be a government that drinks their blood? I understand why people tell the dead to sleep well. What adults are going through in this government, maybe Jesus comes back tomorrow, or God releases the fire he said the world should end."
Muindy Mucioky Geoffrey:
"And even a job here in Kenya is not given by anyone, it's up to you to organise yourself."
Source: Facebook
Kenyans promised jobs abroad by Alfred Mutua speak
In another story, many other overseas job applicants said they neither received medical results, visas, nor job placements.
Only a few were lucky to receive a percentage of the money they had paid for their pursuit of a job.
Senator Gloria Orwoba and other leaders expressed outrage, promising to ensure accountability through Senate investigations.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
