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Election officials on Thursday issued a stern warning to Kenyans about fraudulent job advertisements circulating on social media platforms, as the country prepares for upcoming electoral activities.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) raised the alarm through a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, cautioning job seekers about deceptive recruitment notices that falsely claim to offer positions with the commission.
“Fake News Alert! Beware of fraudulent job advertisements on social media. For accurate and up-to-date information, please visit our official website and our verified social media platforms,” the IEBC stated in its public notice.
The warning comes at a critical time as Kenya approaches by-elections scheduled for February 26, 2026. This electoral period typically involves the temporary hiring of polling personnel, creating an opportunity that scammers are now exploiting.
According to the IEBC, fraudsters have created sophisticated fake notices that mimic official communication styles and formats. These deceptive advertisements falsely claim that the commission is recruiting polling clerks and assistants for the upcoming elections.
The fraudulent messages often include convincing but misleading language such as: “IEBC invites interested and qualified candidates to apply for various positions… To apply, please use the official portal below.” These notices then direct unsuspecting applicants to counterfeit websites and unauthorized links that have no connection to the electoral body.
The commission emphasized that it has not announced any recruitment drive for polling personnel and confirmed that any such claims currently in circulation are completely false. This clarification is particularly important as many young Kenyans actively seek temporary employment opportunities during election periods.
In its public warning, the IEBC highlighted the risks associated with these fraudulent schemes, including potential identity theft, financial fraud, and misuse of personal information. The commission urged citizens to remain vigilant and to verify all job-related information directly through its official channels.
“Our only legitimate recruitment portal is https://jobs.iebc.or.ke,” the commission clarified, stressing that any other website claiming to offer IEBC employment opportunities should be treated with suspicion.
The proliferation of fake job advertisements reflects a growing trend of employment-related scams in Kenya, where high unemployment rates make many citizens vulnerable to such schemes. Economic analysts note that fraudsters often target government institutions with high public recognition, like the IEBC, to lend credibility to their scams.
Cybersecurity experts have warned that clicking on suspicious links in these fake advertisements can lead to malware installation or phishing attempts that compromise users’ personal data and financial information.
The IEBC has encouraged the public to report suspicious advertisements to help curb the spread of misinformation. This alert is part of the commission’s broader efforts to maintain transparency and protect the integrity of Kenya’s electoral processes.
Election officials assured the public that when genuine recruitment for the February by-elections does commence, all announcements will be made exclusively through the commission’s authorized channels, including its official website (iebc.or.ke) and verified social media accounts.
The commission’s proactive approach to addressing these fraudulent schemes demonstrates its commitment to public awareness and information security as Kenya prepares for its next electoral exercise.
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8 Comments
This is a concerning issue. Fraudulent job ads can mislead and exploit vulnerable job seekers. Kudos to the IEBC for warning the public and urging them to check official channels for legitimate opportunities.
Agreed, transparency and vigilance are crucial during electoral periods. I hope the authorities can take strong action against these scammers to protect Kenyans.
Fake job postings are a serious problem that can cause real harm. I’m glad the IEBC is being proactive in alerting the public. It’s important for citizens to verify employment claims before responding.
Absolutely. Careful vetting of recruitment ads is essential, especially for positions related to elections. Falling for scams could undermine the democratic process.
Exploiting job seekers through fraudulent ads is unethical and damaging. The IEBC is right to issue this warning and emphasize the need to check official sources. Transparency and integrity must be upheld.
Fraudulent job ads are a serious issue that can take advantage of desperate job seekers. I’m glad the IEBC is taking action to alert the public and discourage these deceptive practices.
This is an important warning from the IEBC. Deceptive job postings can lead to financial losses and other harm for vulnerable Kenyans. Vigilance and skepticism are crucial when searching for employment opportunities.
Agreed. Verifying the legitimacy of any job ad, especially those related to elections, is critical. The public should heed the IEBC’s advice and stick to official channels.