It’s a tough world out here. The rich want to get richer and the poor keep trying to uplift themselves. It is estimated that over 70% of those born poor remain poor until the end of their days.
It turns out there’s a good reason for that. The world cannot function without the poor, and therefore the wealthy want to maintain the status quo. That explains why millionaires and billionaires continue exploiting poor people without blinking an eye.
There’s no denying that joblessness in Kenya is at record levels. Less than half of Kenyans of working age have formal employment. This has presented an opportunity for con men to rip them off.
For the past few weeks, Royal Media Services has been airing adverts seeking sales agents in every county. Using their massive media empire, RMS has been pushing these ads multiple times a day on TV and all their radio stations.
However, Kenyans seeking to apply have been shocked to find out that they have to pay a Sh1000 application fee.
Here’s a screenshot of what awaits you after you input your personal details on the online application form.
RMS does not state what the non-refundable Sh1000 is meant for.
Citizen TV is the most watched TV station in Kenya. That alone accounts for millions of viewers, most of them unemployed. When you bring in all their national and vernacular radio stations, we can conclude that most if not all Kenyans have heard the message… either first hand or via word of mouth.
Kenya’s youth unemployment is estimated to be about 40%. It is therefore likely that a few million jobless Kenyans have thus far heeded the call to action and attempted to apply for the job.
Upon finding the Sh1000 shocker, most will pull out, but RMS will still have tens of thousands who will end up paying.
By the end of this exercise, it is likely that SK Macharia will have in excess of Sh100 million in his account.
If this is not theft, I don’t know what is.
We have heard a million times, including from RMS properties, that anyone charging you for a job application is a con. It may not be illegal but it’s outright unethical. I guess they don’t play by the same rule book.
Royal Media has not been doing well financially with many layoffs including several well known names taking place in the past few months. It is rumoured that this ‘recruitment’ exercise is meant to pump in some urgently needed revenue into the company.
Read: Why Citizen TV Has Sacked Terryanne Chebet
Kenyans have taken to social media angered by these developments. Some are demanding RMS immediately refunds all monies it has collected and stop the exercise.
Here is a collection of tweets from the hashtag #RMSJobScam.
Why is @citizentvkenya in a grand scheme to steal from desperate Kenyans? RMS should be made to refund the money! #RMSJobScam @RamogiFM
— Odongo POD! (@OdongoPeter) December 28, 2016
Now tht the economy is nt doing well for KENYA Royal Media wants to rob Kenyans by asking applicants to pay 1000ksh @C_NyaKundiH #RmsJobScam
— Moha (@Moha2035) December 28, 2016
So if a company incurrs losses, they lay off workers and steal from their listeners and viewers to cover for that.Shame. #RMSJobScam
— kevin kituyi (@kevinkituyi3) December 28, 2016
RMS is The rich man who owns flock of sheep yet slaughtered the poor mans sheep….unfair! #RMSJobScam
— #MAN_HOOD (@MwicigiKamotho) December 28, 2016
@citizentvkenya Is taking advantage of the economic crisis in the country to solicit funds from 'desperate' Kenyans.
#RMSJobScam— Emmanuel Amunala (@EmmanuelAmunala) December 28, 2016
You realize that they don't reveal the Ksh1000 on their TV adverts and Radio announcements. It is shameful even to them #RMSJobScam
— Dikembe (@Disembe) December 28, 2016
#RMSJobScam @RMS have gotten enough of corruption headlines on their news and they want their fair share from the people!
— Machayo Chris Allan (@machall10) December 28, 2016
#RMSJobScam Bandit Economy. Man eat man society
— BETHWEL CHERUIYOT (@bethwelcher) December 28, 2016
its funny how @citizentvkenya and @RadioCitizenFM report on corruption and then take commercial breaks to advertise a scam #RMSJobScam
— kevin kituyi (@kevinkituyi3) December 28, 2016
Kenyans are now being robbed left, right,north and south. Royal Media services is now stealing from desperate jobless Kenyans. #RMSJobScam
— Silvano Ngacha (@silvanongacha) December 28, 2016
From betting , religion, politics to 'royal' media;one thing is clear – poverty is a multibillion industry Kenya. Poverty pays. #RMSJobScam
— Chitayi Murabula (@Dr_chitayi) December 28, 2016
#RMSjobScam this is the height of open corruption bays in our country. Very disappointing. Why should I pay to try my luck at a job, nkt
— Grace njoki (@Geenjokie) December 28, 2016
Instead of going to the street because he staring at defeat, Raila should call for mass action because of ?? #RMSJobScam
— Robert ALAI (@RobertAlai) December 28, 2016
Why is 1k needed for a job application? Kenyans need to stop being desperate. Hata tender you told ni ya tender docsuments #RMSJobScam
— KenG (@kgerrishom) December 28, 2016
Kenya is a Bandit State Run by Mafias, Even after a Social media Outcry , Royal Media services has not shut down the Job Scam #RMSJobScam
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) December 28, 2016
Its very sad that you need 1k from someone who does not even have it, why should a poor person pay to get help. #RMSJobScam
— kevin kituyi (@kevinkituyi3) December 28, 2016
#RMSJobScam 200,000 applicants jobless or not which earns Royal Media (Ksh.1000 × 200000= 200,000,000) i.e atleast 200 Million.
— Benson Muturi (@BensonMuturi8) December 28, 2016
Maybe the 1k for RMS marketing jobs is to cater for the salaries of the 'successful' applicants & the equipment they will use?…#RMSJobScam
— David Wanjala (@Daviproff) December 28, 2016