Kenya: Ignore Fake Job Ad On Facebook Targeting Kenyan Anti-Drug Agency

Ignore fake job ad on Facebook targeting Kenyan anti-drug agency

A job ad has circulated in Kenya, claiming that the country's anti-alcohol and drug abuse agency is hiring. But Nacada has said the ad is fake and urged Kenyans to verify job listings through their official website.

A job advert making the rounds on Facebook claims that Kenya's National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) is recruiting for several positions.

Nacada is a government agency tasked with coordinating efforts to prevent, control and reduce the impact of alcohol and drug abuse.

Vacancies listed in the ad include rehabilitation and public health officers, accountants, nurses, photographers, event organisers, lab technicians and support staff.

The ad says these positions are permanent and pensionable, with an application deadline of 29 January 2025. It also states that applications should be addressed to the "Board Chairman".

According to the ad, applicants must be Kenyan citizens aged 18 years or older. They should hold a degree, diploma, or certificate in the relevant field, or possess a valid Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to work with minimal or no supervision and be fluent in English, Kiswahili or both.

This job ad appears here and here. (Note: See more instances at the end of this report.)

In the past, scammers have used Nacada's name to lure unsuspecting jobseekers, prompting the agency to warn the public about impersonation and fraud. Africa Check has previously debunked similar job ads targeting the authority, as seen here and here.

Is this another bogus job ad? We checked.

Ignore fake job ad

A closer look at the job ad showed several inconsistencies and questionable details, casting doubt on its legitimacy:

  1. Use of a generic email address: The email address provided, [email protected], raises a red flag. Official government and public institutions, like Nacada, typically use professional email domains, in this case @nacada.go.ke.
  2. Grammatical and formatting errors: The job ad has typographical errors, inconsistent capitalisation, and poorly structured sentences. For instance, phrases like "Permanent & Pentionable" and "minenal supervision" suggest a lack of professionalism not expected from an official government document.
  3. Unverified social media sources: The ad seems to have been shared widely on Facebook but has not been posted on Nacada's official platforms, including their website or verified social media accounts.
  4. Vague qualifications: The job ad says only that applicants need "a degree, diploma, certificate, or KCSE certificate", without specifying the fields of study for the positions listed. Legitimate job ads typically include clear and detailed qualification requirements.
  5. Lack of official verification: We found no corresponding job ad on Nacada's official website and verified social media accounts, leading ust to further doubt the legitimacy of the ad.

On 23 January, Nacada flagged the job ad as "fake" through their official Facebook and X accounts.

The agency wrote:

FAKE JOB ALERT! Scammers are at it again, circulating fake job adverts claiming to be from NACADA! Don't fall for their tricks! How to Stay Safe: 1. FACT-CHECK: Always verify job openings on our official website http://nacada.go.ke or our verified social media pages. 2. NO FEES: NACADA does NOT ask for any payment during recruitment. If someone demands money, it's a SCAM! 3.REPORT EXTORTION: If you encounter such fraud, report it immediately to NACADA or your nearest police station. Stay informed, stay safe, and spread the word! Let's work together to stop these scammers in their tracks.

How to protect yourself from fake job ads

  • Always verify job ads by checking the official website or social media accounts of the organisation or company.
  • Do not share personal details or submit applications through unofficial email addresses.

The fake job ad also appears here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

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