Police hunt for conman promising youths State jobs

The police are looking for a man said to have been collecting money from locals pretending he will secure them jobs in the county government.

The man claimed he was a Government employee. He is said to have conned youths in Muvau, Kaumoni and Wote. 

Area OCPD Bosita Omukolongolo said they swung into action after receiving complaints that a man was asking for between Sh2,000 and Sh5,000 to give them State jobs.

"I can't tell how many people have been conned. However, I am calling on them to record statements with us," Omukolongolo said.

Emily Mwangangi, 19, from Muvau village, said she came to know the suspect through the area chief. She said the chief told her the man had a ready job for her.

"I thought it was a clean deal because the chief was involved. The man later called me and asked for my details. He also asked for Sh700 to process my appointment letter. I gave in because I needed a job to raise fees for my university education," said Mwangangi.

She added: "After some hours, he demanded a Sh1,500 interview fee. He later told me to pick my letter from the post office but when I checked, there was nothing."

Ms Mwangangi said she later called him but he pretended to be on official duty in Machakos and never got back to her. 

Christine Muange also lost Sh700. "I called him several times but he ignored my calls. That is when I realised I had been conned," she said.

The chief, Gregory Musyoki, yesterday confirmed he linked many youths with the suspect but had warned them against giving him money.