"Woi Mnisaidieni" Nairobi Woman In Pain, Left Stranded after Man Cons Her With Ksh 130K With Fake Job Offer

Nairobi, Kenya — A young Nairobi woman, Gladys Kagwiri, is facing a devastating personal and financial crisis after allegedly being conned out of KSh 300,000 by a man who promised her a position in the Kenyan army. 

The alleged scam has left her homeless, deeply in debt, and struggling to navigate the fallout.

Kagwiri told reporters that she met the alleged fraudster, Patrick Kebor, while travelling on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Mombasa to Nairobi in April 2025. 

Kebor claimed to be a high-ranking officer in the Kenyan Defence Forces and offered to help Kagwiri secure a coveted army post if she raised KSh 300,000 by October.

“During our journey, we spoke about my repeated attempts to join the army since 2021. That’s when he promised he could help me secure a position if I raised the required funds,” Kagwiri recounted.

Excited by the prospect of stable employment and the ability to support her single mother and younger siblings, Kagwiri went to great lengths to raise the money. 

She and her mother used her mother’s only land as collateral for a KSh 260,000 loan and borrowed KSh 40,000 from her employer at a wines and spirits shop, agreeing to work unpaid for several months to repay it.

On October 14, 2025, Kagwiri sent the full KSh 300,000 to Kebor. That was the last time she could reach him. 

According to her account, Kebor immediately switched off his phone and stopped responding to messages, disappearing without a trace.

“I begged him repeatedly to return even a portion of the money so that we could recover my mother’s land, but he refused. It was like he vanished,” Kagwiri said, visibly distressed.

Kagwiri has reported the incident to the police and obtained an OB number, but she has yet to see progress in recovering her funds or in bringing Kebor to justice. 

The ordeal has left her unable to work, and she has not yet informed her mother, fearing the news might worsen her mother’s hypertension.

“Right now, I can’t even go to work. I told my mum that everything was on track, but inside I feel hopeless. Three weeks of police visits have not changed anything,” she said.

The emotional and financial strain of the scam has been immense. Kagwiri’s story highlights the vulnerability of many young Kenyans seeking employment and the extreme measures some take to secure a future for themselves and their families.

In the digital age, scams promising lucrative government jobs continue to proliferate, exploiting the aspirations and trust of young people. 

Experts stress the importance of verifying credentials and official recruitment channels before making payments or handing over personal assets.

Kagwiri has appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information about Kebor’s whereabouts to come forward. She can be reached via phone at +254 715 080 940.

Social media users and community members have expressed sympathy for her plight, emphasizing the need for stronger mechanisms to protect citizens from fraud and to hold perpetrators accountable.

“People need to know the dangers of these scams. It’s heartbreaking to see someone lose everything chasing a dream,” a local community leader said.

The incident serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing vigilance in job-seeking, especially when asked to make upfront payments. 

Authorities and recruitment agencies continue to urge the public to use official channels and report suspicious offers promptly.