Maria Wangari Kamunge, popularly known as Rish Kamunge, the Director of Trustpine Travel Agency, has been implicated in a fraudulent scheme targeting Kenyans seeking employment in Mauritius.
Victims reported paying between Ksh. 200,000 and Ksh. 400,000 for job placements, only to discover that the promised opportunities were nonexistent.
Some individuals even traveled to Mauritius, where they found themselves stranded at the airport without assistance and were ultimately deported back to Kenya.
Financial Impact on Victims
Investigations have revealed that a total of 43 victims sent Ksh.12.9 million to the suspect. The victims claimed they were instructed to send money via M-Pesa to a number registered under Kamunge’s name.
When they failed to receive the promised jobs, they attempted to reach Rish Kamunge, but she had reportedly gone into hiding.
Legal Proceedings
Rish Kamunge was apprehended on March 26, 2025, in an office building in Nairobi by members of the public, who then handed her over to the Central Police Station.
She appeared in court for custodial orders and was subsequently remanded at the Capital Hill Police Station. The case is scheduled for mention today, March 28, 2025.
Government Crackdown on Fraudulent Agencies
In a bid to protect Kenyan job seekers from exploitation, the government has taken decisive action against over 700 fraudulent employment agencies promising lucrative positions abroad.
Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, emphasized the importance of ensuring that employment agents are registered with the National Employment Authority (NEA) to avoid falling victim to scams.
Advisory to Job Seekers
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations urges anyone who might have fallen victim to this job scam to come forward and report the matter at the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
Additionally, Kenyans seeking overseas employment are advised to verify that the agents they engage with are registered with the NEA.
The government stresses that visa applications are a personal responsibility and do not require the approval of agents or organizations, a warning aimed at reducing cases of fraud.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for individuals to exercise due diligence when seeking employment opportunities abroad.
Ensuring that recruitment agencies are properly registered and consulting official government channels can help prevent falling victim to such scams.
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