Another Travel Agency Scam Hits Eldoret

The Eldoret region has been rocked by a significant fraud case involving Novice Global Service Consultants, a travel agency that promised lucrative job opportunities in Canada and Australia.

This scam has resulted in financial losses exceeding 140 million Kenyan shillings, devastating numerous families and shattering the dreams of hopeful job seekers. Established last year by an individual with connections to the Ziwa Uasin Gishu area, Novice Global Service Consultants quickly gained the trust of local residents. The company's alluring promises of securing well-paying jobs abroad particularly appealed to the hardworking farming community, who saw an opportunity for higher wages and improved living conditions. The impact of this deception has been profound. Joshua Lagat from Nandi County, for instance, sold property to raise 1.5 million shillings for his three sons' travel expenses.

Similarly, Simon Cheruiyot convinced his father to sell a portion of their inherited land, hoping to work overseas and eventually purchase more property to support his family. Wainaina wa Mwangi, an Eldoret businessman, took out a bank loan last October to cover his travel expenses, only to find himself ensnared in the same scheme. The consequences of these fraudulent activities have been far-reaching, leaving the community in disarray. Many individuals have depleted their savings and taken out loans, only to find themselves in unstable financial situations. The emotional toll has been equally devastating as victims confront the harsh reality that their aspirations for a brighter future have been callously taken from them.

Despite numerous reports to authorities, affected individuals feel that little action has been taken to address the issue or hold perpetrators accountable. In an attempt to seek justice, victims have decided to escalate the matter to the Australian embassy, demanding the deportation of the Novice Global Service Consultants proprietor. However, the complexities of international law and the involvement of foreign jurisdictions make the outcome of this approach uncertain. The Novice Global scandal is not an isolated incident in Eldoret. Over the past year, the region has witnessed a surge in fraudulent activities, particularly involving travel and education agencies.

One notable example is the failed Education Scholarship airlifting program sponsored by the Uasin Gishu County government which resulted in losses of nearly a billion shillings and left students and families devastated when promised scholarships failed to materialize. The National Employment Authority (NEA) has come under scrutiny for its role in overseeing travel agencies. Although the NEA claims to have shut down the operations of some fraudulent agencies, allegations persist that these entities continue to operate illegally. Eldoret's relatively high concentration of wealth among farmers and landowners has made it a prime target for these fraudulent operations.

The absence of robust regulatory structures and the perceived inaction of security institutions have amplified the issue, leaving the community vulnerable to ongoing exploitation.