Kenyatta National Hospital
A wave of deceptive job advertisements has triggered widespread concern among job seekers in Kenya, prompting leading institutions to publicly disavow fake postings circulating online.
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and the Social Health Authority (SHA) are among the prominent organisations that have issued official disclaimers, warning the public about the potential risks associated with these fraudulent schemes. On Sunday, April 20, KNH issued a public alert via its official X account, denouncing a counterfeit notice claiming the hospital was recruiting 735 individuals across a range of positions. The undated document listed vacancies in diverse fields, including nursing, medical assistance, IT, security, and theatre technology.
The supposed deadline for applications was set for April 20, 2025. KNH emphasises that it does not charge fees at any stage of its recruitment process, urging job seekers to verify vacancies exclusively through its official website to avoid being misled. The hospital expresses concern that the false advertisement could be a vehicle for data theft or financial exploitation. It appeals to the public to remain vigilant and circulate the warning broadly to protect others from falling victim to the scam.
This revelation comes at a time when unemployment challenges persist in Kenya, making young people particularly vulnerable to such deceitful schemes. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate in the country stood at 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023, with young people aged 20-24 experiencing the highest unemployment rate at 13.4%. Similarly, on Saturday, April 19, SHA flagged a fraudulent job posting that purported to offer opportunities in 20 different roles, including interns, drivers, social workers, and laboratory technicians.
The fake notice alleged that SHA, established under Kenyan constitutional law, aimed to recruit staff to enhance its healthcare service delivery. The bogus announcement listed generic qualifications applicable to all roles, such as holding a degree, diploma, or certificate from a recognised institution, and possessing identification documents like a KRA PIN and SHA number. SHA warned that the fraudulent notice might be a strategy to harvest personal information or extort money under the guise of application processing fees.
It reiterated its position against such unethical practices, advising the public to disregard the announcement and consult authentic sources for information regarding job openings. Beyond these two organisations, the Technical University of Kenya also faced its share of misinformation. On April 17, a fake letter circulated online claiming that the institution had declared insolvency and would temporarily close due to financial difficulties. The letter purportedly announced a three-month shutdown starting April 21, 2025, until a resolution to the financial crisis could be achieved.
However, the university swiftly dispelled these claims, confirming that classes and operations were proceeding as usual. In response to the growing concerns about digital fraud, the Kenyan government has launched several initiatives to enhance cybersecurity and protect citizens from online scams. The National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4) is responsible for coordinating national cybersecurity efforts and raising awareness about cyber threats.
The NC4 has also established a national cybersecurity hotline where citizens can report cybercrimes and receive assistance. Additionally, the government has partnered with international organisations and private sector companies to conduct cybersecurity training programs for law enforcement officers, government officials, and the general public.