By TONY MUSIS
An Eldoret court has issued a warrant of arrest against a businessman accused of masterminding an overseas job scam that conned 18 unsuspecting job seekers of more than Sh12 million in the North Rift region.
The warrant was issued after the accused, Joseph Kipkemboi Keino, failed to appear in court for the mention of his case to confirm whether he had begun compensating the victims.
Keino had committed to make an initial payment of Sh500,000 by December last year following negotiations with the complainants. The undertaking was recorded in September when he appeared before Presiding Magistrate Kesse Cheronoh.
However, when the matter came up for mention, Keino failed to show up, and so did his lawyer, identified only as Mureithi.
This prompted Magistrate Cheronoh to authorize police to launch a manhunt for the suspect and produce him in court for jumping bail.
Also in trouble is the person who stood surety for Keino by depositing a land title deed valued at more than Sh3 million. The court issued summons requiring the guarantor to appear on February 9, 2026, to explain the whereabouts of the suspect.
It further emerged that Keino has switched off all his mobile phones.
“Your Honour, I have been informed that the suspect has not given his lawyer any instructions regarding his case despite knowing the matter was coming up today,” said lawyer Edwin Ruto, representing the victims.
According to court documents, Keino obtained more than Sh12 million from the victims by false pretence, claiming he would secure them employment abroad.
The documents state that he collected the money from 18 victims on diverse dates between March and July 2024. Each victim allegedly paid between Sh300,000 and Sh1.8 million after being promised jobs as hotel workers, mainly in Australia, and in some instances Qatar.
Keino first appeared in court in September 2024, denied the charges and was released on a Sh3 million bond without an option of cash bail.
His co-accused, Jael Jepkoech, is said to have fled to Qatar three years ago and remains at large. Police have since sought Interpol’s assistance through a court order to trace and extradite her to face charges.
Keino had previously disappeared for five months after being charged. He was later re-arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Nairobi and returned to court, leading to the cancellation of his bond.
The same court later reinstated the Sh3 million bond after he sought forgiveness and committed to refund the money he allegedly conned from the job seekers.
The case will be mentioned again on February 9, 2026.
