Activists raise alarm as unlicensed travel agencies increase in Eldoret

By Makena Valary 

Human rights activist Kimutai Kirui has referred to Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County as 'City of fraudsters,’ over the increase of unlicensed travel agencies allegedly exploiting residents.

Kirui revealed that nearly 90% of the agencies lack accreditation from the National Employment Authority (NEA).

"We have travel agencies in nearly every building, with some recruiting over a thousand people but only sending a fraction abroad," Kirui said, pointing to what he termed as rampant corruption and inefficiency within the system.

He demanded an overhaul of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), accusing officers in Eldoret of reportedly fostering impunity by blocking prosecutions through bribery.

"The ODPP has become a frontier of corruption, demoralising police officers who arrest suspects, only for cases to be killed at the ODPP stage."

"We demand that the ODPP officers in Uasin Gishu be transferred. They have overstayed and allowed impunity to thrive," he added.

The human rights defender called for the immediate arrest of directors of fraudulent agencies in Uasin Gishu.

Benson Juma Akumu, another human rights activist, echoed Kirui's concerns, lamenting how police efforts to investigate and arrest suspects are allegedly undermined by the ODPP.

He urged President William Ruto to intervene and stop the so-called "paradise cartel" in Uasin Gishu, which he claimed is conning residents by falsely claiming to be well-connected.

Victims like Kelvin Koech vowed to continue demonstrating until justice is served. "This is the president's county, and we have suffered since 2022,” Koech stated.

The demands for transparency, accountability, and swift legal action have sparked widespread discontent in Uasin Gishu, over the past few months.

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