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The row surrounding a recruitment agency which promised more than 2,000 jobs for the youth in Qatar, which flopped, has intensified, with the name of a prominent Rift Valley businessman, a Cabinet Secretary and an Uasin Gishu politician being mentioned.

People Daily has established the agency collected money from unsuspecting youth, promising to offer them World Cup-related jobs in Qatar. The positions promised included receptionists, cashiers and cleaners.

Most of the complainants said they parted with Sh40,000 to Sh200,000.

On Thursday, business came to a standstill in Eldoret town after agitated youth took to the streets demanding a refund of their money running into millions.

They said that a Cabinet Secretary, a prominent Rift Valley businessman, and a Uasin-Gishu politician who attended the launch of the programme last year, should shed light on the swindle.

“We have every reason to believe they know something about this scam, which has fleeced us millions of shillings,” said  Pauline Ambaka, one of those affected.

The youth faulted the police for stopping their peaceful demonstration on Thursday yet they had obtained a permit, as required by law.

Human Rights groups in the North Rift — led by Kimutai Kirui of the Centre Against Torture  — also castigated the police for stopping the lawful demonstration.

“We are appealing to President William Ruto, who comes from this region, to personally intervene. Many families have been reduced to paupers after they sold all their property in the hope that their children would secure jobs,” said Kirui.

“We had many hopes of securing greener pastures. We will continue demonstrating in Eldoret until our plight is addressed,” said job seeker Kelvin Koech.

Another complainant, Kennedy Kipchumba, said he gave the firm Sh200,000 to secure a job in Poland. And victim Cheruiyot Yegon from Uasin Gishu county said he paid Sh80,000.

The youth have accused the recruitment agency, which has since closed its City Plaza offices in Eldoret, of holding their documents, including passports and academic certificates.

Turbo Deputy County Commissioner Mohammed Mwabudzo says investigations have been launched.

Recently, the firm’s boss, Judy Chepchirchir, said they had recruited over 7,000 people, with some already working in Poland, Canada and Qatar.