34 Youths Intercepted in Uasin Gishu After Alleged Fake KDF Recruitment Scam

By Wasike Elvis

 Police in Uasin Gishu County have launched a full-scale investigation after intercepting 34 youths in the Mali Tisa area, who were allegedly being transported under false pretenses to the Recruits Training School (RTS) in Eldoret for what they believed was a special round of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment.

Uasin Gishu County Commander Benjamin Mwanthi confirmed the incident, describing it as a “well-coordinated con scheme” targeting desperate job seekers in Bomet and surrounding areas. According to Mwanthi, the youths were ferried in three matatus and had been misled by individuals posing as recruitment agents who promised them direct admission into KDF training.

“These youths are not in custody, but they are recording statements with us so we can understand the full nature of the deception,” Mwanthi stated. “We want to know who recruited them, who coordinated their movement, and who paid for their transportation.”

However, the three matatu owners and their drivers have been detained as part of the ongoing investigations. Police suspect that the transporters either knowingly participated in the scheme or were financed by those behind the fraudulent operation.

Investigations Expand Across Counties

Preliminary reports indicate that the youths originated from Mulot in Bomet County, a region already flagged in previous cases involving fraudulent recruitment claims and illegal financial schemes.

“We will be working closely with our colleagues from Bomet to trace the scammers,” Mwanthi said. “We need to determine the identities of the conmen, how long they have been operating, and whether they are part of a larger network targeting innocent youth.”

Police believe that the youths may have paid varying amounts of money to the fraudsters, who convinced them that there were available recruitment slots at RTS — supposedly to “replace” trainees who had been dismissed for drug use, pregnancy, or other disciplinary reasons.

Mwanthi dismissed these claims as pure fabrication.

“These stories about trainees being removed and replaced are completely false. The Kenya Defence Forces recruitment exercise was completed months ago, and those who qualified are already at the college undergoing training. There is currently no recruitment taking place, and no special intakes are planned.”

A Growing Trend of Exploiting Job Seekers

Authorities say this incident mirrors a worrying trend in which criminal groups take advantage of rising unemployment and desperation among young people. Many scammers claim to have insider connections within KDF, police, or other uniformed services and demand payments ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of shillings.

Mwanthi condemned these schemes and urged communities to remain alert.

“I urge Kenyans to be very cautious and not fall into such traps. Anyone promising recruitment shortcuts is lying. All official KDF recruitments are publicly announced, transparent, and conducted openly. There is no shortcut and no backdoor.”

He appealed to citizens to report such fraudsters immediately, assuring the public that stern action will be taken.

“Let us protect our youth. Report anyone who claims to have recruitment powers. We will pursue them without hesitation.”

Youth Frustration and Emotional Toll

Several of the intercepted youths expressed shock and disappointment upon learning that they had been misled. Some said they had borrowed money to pay the alleged recruiters, while others admitted they had been assured the opportunity was “guaranteed.”

One of the victims revealed that they were instructed to carry basic clothing items and told that formal registration would be completed upon arrival at RTS.

Police provided the youths with temporary guidance and arranged for them to contact their families as investigations continue.