Nairobi police have launched a search for city preacher James Wanjohi in connection with a Ksh.600 million job racket.
Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) raided Worthstart Africa's offices in Pension Towers on Friday after thousands of the company's victims gave police statements about how they were duped into paying millions of shillings under the guise that the Preacher would help them get jobs and visas abroad.
DCI officers also removed computers and other office records to aid the investigation.
“Walikua wanatuambia process ni 3 months. From July to December na nikuja huku wanaanza kua rude. Haki itendeke turudishiwe pesa yetu,” said a victim.
"After kulipa ukishaenda there's no communication until you come and confront them."
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According to police, the Preacher's victims range from young people just out of school to older people looking to secure their children's futures, with the majority of the victims being members of his church, 'Jesus Culture Ministry' in Roysambu, who put their complete trust - and money - in their pastor.
One of his victims complains that she took out a Chama loan to pay for her orphaned grandchild to work in Canada, but six months later, she is Ksh.150,000 poorer.
“Nikaona huyu mtoto shida inazidi na hakuna kazi. Nikachukua pesa kwa wamama nikamlipia, siku ya kwanza i paid 140k alafu nikalipa 10k ikakua 150k wakasema wewe ngoja nitakuita,” another victim added.
The victims say they sensed trouble when all applicants and job seekers were met with a familiar message after paying the required KSh 150,000: their visa application had been denied.
Another issue is that we have over 200 applicants vying for a visa; will they fail?
Police have arrested the majority of the recruitment agency's directors and senior staff, and they are searching for the self-proclaimed Preacher, who is the racket's founder and mastermind.
Wanjohi allegedly went into hiding after his victims began recording statements for the police. Authorities say he defrauded job seekers out of 600 million shillings. His victims now want the flamboyant city preacher to refund their hard-earned money.
"Hio pesa yote sasa shosho kama mimi kulipa mkopo na uko na shida ingine si ni mbaya aki watusaidie watuitishie hio pesa," a victim noted.
"Pesa zangu mimi nataka juu hata ni loan nilikua nimechukua na niko na mtoto na sina kazi."
