Members of the public have lost at least Sh50 million to conmen purporting to be senior Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers who have been promising to help secure slots to join the Recruits Training School (RTS) in Eldoret town, it has been revealed.
According to Brigadier Martin Agonyi, so far 132 recruits have fallen prey to conmen who gave them fake calling letters.
"We manage to arrest 132 recruits yesterday (Sunday) as they reported to the Recruits Training School (RTS) at Kamagut, Turbo constituency with fake calling letters," said Angonyi to the press.
He regretted that the 132 recruits had been conned over Sh50 million. It's estimated that the conmen were demanding as much as Sh300,000 for one to secure a slot to join KDF.
"Last year we arrested 65 recruits with fake calling letters and this year the numbers have doubled to 132 which is tormenting," Angonyi added.
He said that the 132 recruits never participated in the nationwide recruitment exercise.
“The genuine recruits have been admitted to the school and set to continue with their training," said Agonyi who cautioned Kenyans against falling prey to the conmen.
Those found with fake letters are to face criminal charges at the Eldoret law courts.