The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) has called for disciplinary action against senior officers in the National Police Service and top officials at the National Employment Authority (NEA) after investigations into the controversial First Choice Agency uncovered serious misconduct and regulatory failures.

In a comprehensive report prompted by complaints from affected youths and human rights groups, the commission found that some police commanders in Uasin Gishu County ignored multiple fraud reports, allegedly intimidated complainants and failed to protect vulnerable job seekers targeted by the recruitment scheme.

CAJ Chairperson Charles Dulo said the probe revealed alarming inaction and negligence by officers mandated to enforce the law.

According to the report, this failure created room for the fraudulent operation to continue while discouraging victims from pursuing justice.

“Our investigations revealed clear negligence and failure to act on credible complaints, which allowed the fraudulent scheme to thrive at the expense of vulnerable job seekers,” Dulo explained.

Among those cited are officers who were in charge of investigations and station administration at the Eldoret Police Station at a time when numerous complaints were lodged but little action was taken.

“Public officers entrusted with protecting citizens must be held accountable when their inaction or misconduct enables exploitation and injustice,” he continued.

The commission has directed the National Police Service Commission to initiate disciplinary proceedings and submit a progress report within six months.

It also faulted senior NEA officials, including the director-general and the head of labour migration, for weak oversight that allowed the agency and other unregistered recruiters to operate unchecked.

Further, CAJ has asked the Labour and Skills Development ministry to take administrative action against the implicated NEA officers and inform the commission of the measures taken.

Rights activists and victims of the scheme welcomed the recommendations, saying they mark an important step toward accountability for institutions that failed thousands of young Kenyans seeking legitimate opportunities abroad.

The investigation followed widespread claims that the agency collected hefty cash payments from hopeful applicants with promises of overseas jobs and study placements that never materialised.

CAJ opening of Eldoret regional offices

The CAJ commissioners spoke when they commissioned the Ombudsman North Rift Regional Office on Thursday, January 29.

The CAJ Vice Chairperson and Commissioner in charge of Access to Information, Ms. Dorothy Jemator, re-emphasized the need for the Commission to be adequately resourced in order to achieve its strategy of taking Ombudsman services to the grassroots.

Using the North Rift Regional Office as an example, she noted that the office serves Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Turkana, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Nakuru, Kericho, Baringo, and Bomet—an expansive region that presents significant operational challenges. She called on partners and relevant agencies to support the Commission with sufficient resources to enhance service delivery at the county level.

Ms. Jemator also noted that the Commission is undertaking the State of Openness Report, which will assess how transparent national and county government institutions are in service delivery and in facilitating access to information.

The Commissioner in Charge of Complaints and Investigations, Charles Njagua, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to bringing services closer to the people, noting that a strong grassroots presence is critical to empowering citizens to know their rights and hold public officers accountable.

Representing the Governor, the Deputy Governor of Uasin Gishu County, Evans Kapkea, welcomed the Commission to the county and conveyed the support of the Governors of the North Rift Economic Bloc. He committed that the County Government would collaborate with the Commission, support the regional office, and strive to remain responsive in order to minimize complaints lodged against the county.

They issued a strong call to devolve Ombudsman services to the grassroots, adequately resource the Commission, and intensify public awareness so that citizens can effectively access justice and hold public institutions accountable.