Economy

State warns Kenyans against ‘foundation’ hiring thousands

ceo

SSASP International Julius Muange Kithome speaks during the launch of the programme at the Kasarani Safaricom Stadium, Nairobi, on August 30, 2015. PHOTO | NJUGI NGUGI

Glaring inconsistencies have emerged in the ongoing recruitment of more than 20,000 Kenyans by an international organisation.

Some of the applicants were offered two or three jobs, with appointment letters, in different stations by the East Africa Sub Saharan Africa Safe Promotion International (SSASP International).

One told the Nation was issued with two appointment letters, one as a regional unit cluster manager and also as youth development manager in two different counties.

Some people claimed they neither applied for any jobs nor sat for any interviews with the organisation but were offered jobs and their names published.

There is no clear job description while the letters have a few typographical errors. In one of the letters seen by the Nation, a sentence under “Remuneration” reads: “The above salary is inclusive of all allowances and no fridge benefits whatsoever may be expected on top of the above salary.”

Some of the positions include assistant single parent manager, assistant widowed/widower manager, assistant chief assessors manager, logistics and procurement manager.

Officials from the Ministry of Devolution and the National NGO Co-ordination Board on Monday said that the organisation was not registered.

“From the standpoint of the ministry and the NGO Co-ordination Board, the organisation is illegal. It is not registered. It cannot be working with us,” said Mr Brown Kutswa from the ministry. 

“It is illegal and criminal and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations should investigate the matter,” he added.

In an interview with the Nation FM on Monday morning, the organisation’s CEO Julius Muange Kithome said they want to empower people socially and economically.

He, however, said his was not an NGO, but a “foundation and committed to paying taxes.” He said the organisation started working in Kenya in 1989.

On Sunday, the applicants paid Sh300 for the badges that would allow them access to the Kasarani stadium. They were supposed to have paid the money through M-Pesa by August 24 and those who paid late had to pay Sh700.

A message from one of the managers to the applicants read: “Kindly send to this number Sh300 for the Kasarani entry badges during the launching on 30th August.”

Interviewees were told that the programme would be launched in Nairobi on July 26 and that it was likely to be attended by the US President Barack Obama. A day to the function, it was cancelled.

Questions have also been raised on the salaries. A driver, for example, was offered a salary of Sh80,000. On sustainability, Mr Kithome said they were funded by America and other donors.

He did not explain the method used in determining pay.