Eldoret job scam: Dozens defrauded in shady overseas recruitment scheme

The company at the centre of the storm is Pro Line Travel Advisors Limited, which promised lucrative job placements in countries such as Canada and Sweden.

Instead, victims allege they were handed fake documents, empty promises, and, in some cases, not even the courtesy of a proper explanation.

Eldoret, once hailed as the city of champions, is fast earning notoriety as a hub for fraudulent recruitment schemes — many of which go unpunished.

The latest allegations are particularly damning, with victims claiming local police have not only ignored their pleas for justice but are actively protecting the accused.

Among the victims is Cynthia Chemtai from Chereng’any, who quit her job and sold her family’s only piece of land to raise funds for a promised visa to Canada. Two years on, she remains jobless in Kenya.

“Alikuja aka-convince baba akasema anapeleka watu Canada. Shamba imeenda… mimi sijaenda Canada, niko jobless. Nimejiambia nitaanza kuuza kidney nirudishie babangu hiyo pesa,” Chemtai said, her voice trembling with anguish.

Her story is tragically echoed by Ben Ruto of Chemroroch village, who sold his land and paid Sh880,000 in the hope of securing a job abroad for his son.

“Niliomba shamba kwa mama, akanipa heka moja. Niliuza nikafikiria tutasaidika. Nikalipa 880,000, lakini mpaka leo hakuna kazi,” Ruto explained.

Julia Bushenei, another victim, sold her only plot to raise Sh800,000. She received what turned out to be a counterfeit visa just hours before a planned farewell party for her son.

“Ile shamba niliuza, hiyo ndio ilikuwa mara yangu ya kwanza. Dakika ya mwisho walitupa visa fake tukafanya farewell party hapa,” she recalled.

Jacqueline Chepkoech, from Yamumbi estate, borrowed Sh400,000 to fund her husband’s journey to Sweden. What she received instead was a photo of a supposed visa sent via WhatsApp — no physical document, no travel arrangements.

“We’re still repaying loans from friends, family, and Saccos. We were never given a proper visa, just a photo. It was a complete scam,” she said.

Despite multiple police reports and a court order issued in 2022 directing the arrest of Pro Line director Isaac Barmasai, no action has been taken. Victims accuse officers at Eldoret Central Police Station of shielding Barmasai from prosecution.

“Tulipeleka kesi kotini. Mahakama ikaamuru Barmasai alipe pesa. Order ilitolewa tarehe 23, lakini mpaka sasa hajashikwa,” lamented Ruto.

“Hapo Central Police Station ni kama wanajuana na Barmasai. Walisema watamshika lakini hakuna kilichofanyika,” added Bushenei.

While Barmasai insists that Pro Line is a legally registered business and claims to have facilitated successful overseas placements, the National Employment Authority has confirmed the firm was deregistered and is no longer licensed to conduct recruitment operations.

As the victims struggle with mounting debts, lost property, and emotional trauma, their calls for justice remain unanswered. Many have lost not only their life savings but also their trust in a system that appears indifferent to their suffering.

“We know we were conned. But why are the police silent? Why is the court order being ignored?” asked a tearful Chemtai.