Kenya Power Warns Job Seekers of Online Recruitment Fraud
Nairobi, 29 July 2026
Kenya Power has issued an urgent warning after a fraudulent recruitment poster targeted vulnerable job seekers, including refugees, using fake Gmail accounts to solicit money.
Anatomy of the Fraudulent Recruitment Drive
The fraudulent advertisement, which was distributed widely across social media channels in July 2026, falsely claimed that the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) was recruiting for multiple roles [1]. These positions spanned several departments, including maintenance technicians, electrical technicians, financial accountants, customer care representatives, store managers, data entry clerks, interns, security guards, drivers, and cleaners [1]. The scammers attempted to project authenticity by specifying precise hiring targets, which included 67 interns and 41 store managers, bringing the total advertised spots for these two roles alone to 108 [1].
Mechanics of the Exploitation
To exploit unsuspecting applicants, the fraudulent poster instructed job seekers to submit their applications to a generic Gmail address rather than an official corporate domain [1]. The scam set an application deadline of 24 July 2026, which has now expired [1]. This deceptive campaign has raised significant concern among vulnerable populations in Kenya, particularly job seekers within Turkana County and the Kakuma refugee camp, who are highly susceptible to financial exploitation through false promises of employment [GPT].
Official Denunciations and Verifications
In response to the scam, KPLC took steps to protect the public by issuing a formal warning on 15 July 2026 via its official X account [1]. The state-owned utility company emphasised that it does not use Gmail addresses for recruitment purposes and strongly advised job seekers never to pay any individual or agency for employment opportunities [1]. A subsequent investigation by East African fact-checking initiative PesaCheck, published on 28 July 2026, verified through KPLC’s official portals that no such recruitment drive was active, officially declaring the poster a hoax [1].
Corporate Alerts and Public Vigilance
Furthering its public outreach, Kenya Power published another security alert on LinkedIn on 28 July 2026 to warn the public against conmen pretending to be corporate recruiters [2]. The company reiterated that all genuine job openings are posted exclusively on its verified careers portal, warning that any advertisement directing applicants elsewhere is fraudulent [1][2]. The warning comes amid broader public anxiety over employment opportunities, as reflected in online queries regarding previously cancelled corporate recruitment schemes [2].
Accessing Legitimate Employment Services
For job seekers aiming to secure legitimate employment at Kenya Power, it is essential to follow official protocols and ignore third-party listings [1][2]. The utility company requires all applications to be submitted through its official online careers portal at https://kplc.co.ke/careers/ [1]. Job seekers can also access verified listings via the company’s shortened LinkedIn careers link at https://lnkd.in/enRWwAps [2].
Identifying Future Recruitment Scams
Verifying job opportunities is a critical safeguard for residents in remote areas such as the Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps, where access to official information may be limited [GPT]. Job seekers must remain vigilant by checking that recruitment portals use secure, official domain names rather than free email hosts, and by remembering that legitimate employers like Kenya Power do not charge fees at any stage of the hiring process [1][2].