KWS warns against conmen on ‘recruitment

THE Kenya Wildlife Service has warned members of the public to be wary of conmen posing as senior officers able to help in recruitment of servicemen. This follows a public outcry over increased circulation of mobile short messages purporting to be from a senior officer at the KWS training college in Manyani.

KWS director Julius Kipng'etich advised members of the public not to respond to the messages and instead report to the police. “This are extortionists and crooks who are out to steal from innocent members of the public,” Kipngetich said. One of the SMS forwarded from a curious member of the public reads “Hello sister Jane I am major GEORGE, K.W.S replacement is on send me PETER's details and Get me other 3 with a mean-grade of D+ and above from home area. K.W.S.T.C MANYANI.”

The message was send using telephone number 0720 138 724. When we called the number, the man claimed he was Maj George Ambani, an officer with the KWS. “I am in Voi,” the man said. Kipngetich said they have been receiving such complaints from members of the public. He said KWS does not have officers with the rank of Majors, Inspectors as indicated in the SMS's and urged members of the public not to fall into such tricks. He said there was no recruitment now and the foreseeable future for the department.

Earlier, KWS communications officer Paul Udoto said the whole case was plain fraud. He said members of the public should help authorities in luring the suspects and ensuring they are rounded up by the police. According to KWS, the last time they recruited warders was in 2010. The only recruits who have been undergoing training both at Naivasha and Manyani Training Colleges are from South Sudan.