Eldoret:A recruitment agency director accused of defrauding job seekers of approximately Sh15 million through a fraudulent overseas employment scheme has been arrested and arraigned at the Eldoret Law Courts.
According to Kenya News Agency, Isaac Kipkemei Barmasai, the sole director of Eldoret-based Proline Travel Advisors Limited, was apprehended on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The arrest was made by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters, Operations Action Team (OAT), Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), and DCI Turbo.
Barmasai had reportedly been evading arrest for nearly two years over allegations of defrauding unsuspecting Kenyans by promising them lucrative employment opportunities in countries such as Sweden, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The suspect allegedly collected recruitment and processing fees ranging from Sh200,000 to Sh1 million from job seekers between 2023 and 2024 but failed to secure the promised overseas employment opportunities.
The DCI revealed that 29 victims have already recorded statements with detectives, with reported losses estimated at approximately Sh15 million. Barmasai was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses, contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code, during his arraignment on Friday, October 30, 2026. The case is scheduled for mention on November 4, 2026.
The DCI has cautioned the public against falling victim to fraudulent recruitment agencies, urging prospective migrant workers to verify the legitimacy of employment opportunities and recruitment firms before making any payments. Individuals who suspect they have been defrauded through similar schemes are encouraged to report the incidents via the DCI’s anonymous toll-free hotline 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp number 0709 570 000.
