Kenyans Warned On Fake Jobs Scam Circulating On WhatsApp

On Saturday, May 3, the Public Service Commission (PSC) flagged a job scam spreading via WhatsApp and warned Kenyans to be cautious of fraudulent job offers shared on the platform.

In an official statement, the PSC advised the public not to fall for the scam or send money to scammers pretending to be PSC officials offering fake employment opportunities.

"Beware of fake jobs circulating online, especially on WhatsApp. Kindly note that these are fraudsters posing as PSC staff demanding bribes for nonexistent jobs and promotions. PSC recruitment is free, transparent, and merit-based," the statement read.

"Verify all job postings on publicservice.go.ke or official Commission Social media platforms. Report scams to reportcorruption@publicservice.go.ke or law enforcement. Stay vigilant," the statement added.

In early April, the PSC announced 243 job vacancies across various government departments. In a notice released on Tuesday, April 1, PSC invited qualified individuals to apply for positions spread out across ministries that include the National Treasury, Lands, and Foreign Affairs.

The available roles included Senior Deputy Director, Deputy Director, and Assistant Director of Macro and Fiscal Policy in the National Treasury.

The Economic Planning Department was also seeking a Director General of Economic Planning, Secretary of Economic Planning (Monitoring, Evaluation & Partnerships), and Secretary of Economic Planning (Development, Planning & Policy).

Additional vacancies included Secretary of Integrated Population Registration Services, Secretary of Civil Registration Services, Director of Probation, Deputy Director of Probation, and Assistant Director of Probation within the Correctional Services Department.

The Foreign Affairs Department had openings for Director General of Foreign Affairs, Political and Diplomatic Affairs, Secretary of Foreign Service Management, and Deputy Director General of Foreign Service.

Other government job openings included Secretary of Information and Broadcasting, Secretary of Public Communication, Secretary of Telecommunication & Postal Services, Secretary of Tourism Development, Director of Wildlife Policy and Strategy and Assistant Director of Wildlife Policy and Strategy. 

Assistant Director of Wildlife Services, Secretary of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Director of Government Clearing Services, Deputy Director of Gender, and Secretary of Technical and Vocational Education. Additionally, positions such as Chief Architect and Secretary of the National Building Inspectorate were also available to interested Kenyans.

In the State Department of Housing and Urban Planning, PSC listed vacancies for Director of Housing Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Director of Urban Governance, Management & Resilience and Deputy Director of Housing Infrastructure.

Other positions listed included Deputy Director of the Civil Servant Housing Scheme, Deputy Director of Estate Management, Chief Superintending Building Surveyor, and Deputy Director of Urban Governance, Management & Resilience.

Other available roles included Deputy Director of Metropolitan Planning & Environment, Deputy Director of Urban Development, Deputy Director of Land Surveys, Senior Superintending Engineer (Civil/Structural), Senior Principal Superintending Quantity Surveyor, Assistant Director of Slum Upgrading, and Assistant Director of the Civil Servants Housing Scheme.

Additional job opportunities existed in the state departments of Transport, Parliamentary Affairs, Irrigation, Lands and Physical Planning, and Energy.