Drama as Eldoret Fraud Victims Stage Citizen’s Arrest, Lock Up Suspect in Police Station
In a dramatic turn of events, victims of a fraudulent overseas job recruitment scheme in Eldoret took matters into their own hands, apprehending a key suspect after months of frustration with local authorities.
The suspect, who operates a recruitment firm in the city, had been accused of defrauding job seekers of over Sh500 million, promising them lucrative employment opportunities abroad.
The victims, many of whom were women, gathered outside the suspect’s residence in Pioneer Estate late Saturday night after receiving a tip-off that he was inside the house with his family. The group, determined to seek justice, was accompanied by private security officers to aid in the citizen’s arrest.
Human rights activist Kimutai Kurui, who was present at the scene, played a pivotal role in organizing the operation. The victims waited patiently outside the suspect’s gate throughout the night, determined to prevent his escape.
However, it wasn’t until early Sunday morning that the suspect, upon realizing that the group had surrounded his house, attempted a daring escape by cutting through the grills leading to a neighbor’s home.
One of the victims, Virginia Kibe, recounted the tense moment when they finally cornered the suspect. “He has conned us out of a lot of money, but the police had told us that they were unable to arrest him, and that is why we decided to stage a citizen’s arrest so that no one tells us he cannot be found,” Kibe stated.
Another victim, Mzee Abel Chumba, shared his ordeal, revealing that he had paid more than Sh450,000 to the suspect, who had promised to secure jobs for his two sons in Turkey and Australia. “We had no choice but to take action ourselves,” Chumba lamented.
The group escorted the suspect to the Eldoret Central Police Station, where they ensured he was locked up. Kurui criticized the local police for their apparent inaction, accusing them of dragging their feet in pursuing fraudsters who have been preying on the vulnerable.
“This man has just been around, but the police kept saying he could not be traced, and that is why we wanted to prove them wrong by handing over the suspect after staging the citizen’s arrest,” Kurui remarked.
He further alleged that Eldoret had become a hotbed for fraud, with over 50 illegally operating job recruitment agencies in the town, yet police enforcement has remained lax.
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi responded to the allegations, noting that eight suspects have so far been arrested in connection with similar complaints.
In Other News: “An Animal On The Loose,” UDA Mp Demands Ruto Control Ichung’wah ‘Childish Talk’
Drama as Eldoret Fraud Victims Stage Citizen’s Arrest, Lock Up Suspect in Police Station
