Prison Officer Grace Nyamohanga, popularly known as Nasra, has been linked to a Sh200 million fake jobs syndicate that allegedly targeted unemployed Kenyans seeking government jobs.
Senior Sergeant Grace Nyamohanga, who was based at Lang’ata Women’s Prison at the time, was identified by detectives as the alleged mastermind of the multimillion-shilling recruitment scam.
According to investigators, the prison officer surrendered to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in May 2021 to face investigations into the alleged fraud that left hundreds of jobseekers counting losses.
Detectives alleged that the syndicate collected more than KSh200 million from desperate jobseekers by promising them lucrative positions in top government institutions and state corporations.
The institutions the victims were promised jobs in included the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Intelligence Service (NIS), and the National Police Service (NPS).
Victims were reportedly issued with fake appointment letters bearing forged government logos and signatures and asked to pay substantial sums ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands to secure the non-existent positions.
Investigators said many victims sold land, took loans, and used family savings believing they had secured government employment, only to discover later that the letters were fake.
When detectives conducted searches in premises linked to the suspects, they reportedly recovered fake employment letters, identity documents, academic certificates, mobile phones, and a laptop believed to have been used to produce the forged documents.
The DCI said dozens of complainants had come forward to record statements, while investigators suspected that many more victims were yet to report their losses out of fear or embarrassment.
In June 2021, Nyamohanga and four co-accused persons were arraigned and charged with offences including obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code and forgery contrary to Section 345 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution told the court that hundreds of jobseekers had been targeted in the elaborate scheme and that investigations had revealed a well-organized network with links to individuals claiming to have access to powerful government offices.
The accused persons denied the charges and were released on bond as the case proceeded.
The case highlighted how desperation for employment among Kenyan youth is being exploited by fraudsters claiming to have connections in powerful institutions.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and DCI have repeatedly warned members of the public to be wary of individuals demanding money in exchange for government jobs, stating that government recruitment is free and transparent.
Under Kenyan law, all accused persons are entitled to a fair hearing and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The matter remains pending before court.