Mutua denies link to First Choice recruitment director amid jobs scam controversy

Alfred Mutua, the Labour CS nominee, denies ever meeting Judy Jepchirchir, the director of the contentious First Choice recruitment agency associated with the alleged jobs scam in Uasin Gishu County.

During his vetting on Sunday, Mutua told the National Assembly Committee on Appointments that he first met Jepchirchir during an event at the Kenya International Convention Centre.

The former Machakos Governor said the First Choice Recruitment Agency was linked to his ministry due to international job transfers.

Jepchirchir faces accusations of defrauding Kenyans by promising them jobs and college placements abroad.

"I remember we had a function at KICC with various stands. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stand was next to the Labour stand. I have never met this lady before; she was simply showcasing her program," Mutua explained.

The nominee also noted that he had not met Jepchirchir since that event and didn't know her name when he introduced President William Ruto, who attended the event.

"The minister then was showcasing the programs they had, and when the president came, we were told to combine the two issues of labour because of the diaspora at that time... I was there with my PS and others, and I was introducing the president to the people who were presenting, if you watch the clip, I didn't even know her name, and she introduced herself, and I haven't met her again since then", Mutua added.

Jepchirchir is the face of an education scholarship program in Uasin Gishu County, where parents allegedly lost their money.

In a previous address, she clarified that they don't engage in securing education opportunities or sending workers to Finland.

"We secure employment opportunities in countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom only," Jepchirchir asserted.

Jepchirchir also claimed that some politicians were trying to cripple her business. She said she had already refunded money to 448 potential workers who didn't secure employment as promised.

She further clarified that she would appear before the Senate Select Committee and had nothing to hide.