Judy Jepchirchir Ejected from Senate Committee Hearing Amidst Letter Dispute
Judy Jepchirchir, proprietor of First Choice Recruitment and Consulting Agency, was ejected from a Senate committee hearing after refusing to retract a letter allegedly accusing lawmakers of siding with petitioners.
Contrary to a directive issued by the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, during the Wednesday hearing at Bunge Towers, Jepchirchir refused to apologize again.
The agency of Jepchirchir was accused of accumulating millions of dollars from job-seekers under the pretense of offering them employment overseas, specifically in Qatar, during the 2022 World Cup.
To prevent the accused from being ejected, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, a committee member, appealed to her to apologize and allow the hearing to continue.
“Therefore, counsel and distinguished chair, our position regarding an apology remains unchanged. I would urge her to apologize and withdraw,” emphasized Cherargei, an outspoken senator affiliated with the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
“Our standing requirements are extremely basic. Even as recently as yesterday, I was ejected from a Senate session. Simply stated, “I wish to retract this letter.” I have even provided a straightforward suggestion. Therefore, if the counsel and respondents refuse to repent, we expel them, continue with our meeting, and then the committee writes a report. Simple!” Cherargei was included.
By Cherargei’s recommendation, the committee chair, and West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor instructed the respondent to offer an apology or rebuttal.
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“Respectful chair. Her attorney responded, “Our position remains unchanged and in terms of an apology…” before Murgor cut him off and ordered them to leave the room.
Prior summonses by the committee were ignored by Jepchirchir, which led to rumors that she enjoyed protection from influential government officials.
Some committee members accused her of being haughty, while others questioned why she had not yet been apprehended and charged.
“We must determine why this individual has not been arrested and charged with fraud.” Senator Gloria Orwoba lamented in a previous hearing that it is evident that First Choice is still operating despite allegations that it has been suspended because it is not registered with the National Employment Agency.
The victims who claimed to have been defrauded by First Choice Agency demanded refunds, contending that they had taken out loans from financial institutions and close relatives and friends in hopes of obtaining employment overseas.
Contrary to the allegations, Jepchirchir stated that she secured employment for over 7,000 Kenyans in Qatar and other European nations.
She added that her organization was legally registered in 2020 and that Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, who served as county governor at the time, and Co-operatives CS Simon Chelugui (then Labour CS) were present at its inauguration.
In a later affair, Mandago was accused of defrauding Uasin Gishu residents out of nearly Ksh1 billion by luring them with the promise of education scholarships in Finland and Canada.
The senator provided a statement to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, which is investigating the incident.
Judy Jepchirchir Ejected from Senate Committee Hearing Amidst Letter Dispute
