CS Chelugui Denies Involvement in Uasin Gishu Scholarship Scandal
Simon Chelugui, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, has distanced himself from media reports linking him to First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy Agency, the private company at the center of Uasin Gishu County’s controversial scholarship and bogus jobs scheme.
In a statement to newsrooms on Wednesday, Chelugui expressed surprise at what he deemed to be an unjustified association between himself and the agency based solely on his attendance at the firm’s official inauguration on 15 May 2021.
Chelugui maintains that he only attended the event in his capacity as Labour CS at the time, adding that his presence should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the company’s fraudulent activities.
“Indeed, I was invited by the organizers on 15th May 2021 to preside over the flagging off of more than 200 youth who had secured job opportunities in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup,” he said.
“As the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection at the time, I was obliged to honor the invite and grace the event because I felt it was a great opportunity for our youth and our country. I also used the occasion to promote government policy on labor migration.”
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The CS added that labor migration is essential for the growth of Kenya’s economy because migrant workers benefit tremendously from remittances and skills acquired abroad. According to him, this attracted him to the event.
“It is for this reason that I graced the event in Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County on that particular day and my role was limited to just being the Chief Guest and Guest Speaker where I outlined the government position regarding labor migration,” he said.
“I am, therefore, surprised by the malicious, unfair, offensive, and slanted stories published in a section of the newspapers today and The Star in particular which is obsessed with yellow Journalism; Sensationalism over facts.”
The Cooperatives CS added that the aforementioned media report violates journalistic principles of right of reply and natural justice, and demanded an apology from the media outlet for allegedly smearing his reputation.
“I have always conducted myself with a high level of professionalism; honor and dignity while discharging my duties – at all times,” said the CS.
“Therefore, I urge Kenyans to ignore these malicious reports with the contempt it deserves. In conclusion, I demand an unequivocal apology with equivalent prominence from The Star Newspaper for tarnishing my reputation.”
CS Chelugui Denies Involvement in Uasin Gishu Scholarship Scandal
