Ever hired someone who always has a ‘daktari’ appointment or a sudden ‘shughuli’ in the shags when work starts? We’re talking about the four classic excuses of the fake job seeker, the ones that make employers sigh ‘pole yangu’.
This piece breaks down those predictable lines, helping you spot the unserious candidates from the genuine hustlers. Knowing these signs saves you time, money, and a whole lot of stress in your business or project.
What Makes This List
These aren’t just any excuses; they are the most common and frustrating lines we hear in the Kenyan job market. They stand out because each one cleverly exploits our cultural norms of politeness and family obligation, making them hard to challenge directly. We’ve ordered them from the most frequent to the most audacious, so you can see the pattern of avoidance unfold.
1. The Perpetual ‘Daktari’ Appointment
This is the go-to excuse for unexplained, repeated absences, especially on Mondays or Fridays. It’s effective because it invokes a legitimate health concern, making it difficult for an employer to question without seeming insensitive. The pattern, however, reveals a chronic absenteeism that has nothing to do with actual illness.
In Kenya, where public health facilities can have long queues, it’s a believable cover. The fake job seeker will often mention a clinic in Githurai or Mama Lucy Hospital, but never have a stamped appointment card or a medical note to show. It’s a story that plays on our collective of how tough accessing healthcare can be.
Always request a formal medical note or appointment slip. A genuine person will have no problem providing some proof.
2. The Sudden ‘Shughuli’ in the Shags
This excuse leverages the deep cultural importance of family and rural home responsibilities. It usually involves a vague but urgent family matter—a funeral, a sick parent, or land issues—that requires immediate travel. The key is its unverifiable and time-consuming nature, guaranteeing several days off.
It hits home because for many Kenyans, shags obligations are real and respected. The faker exploits this, claiming a burial in Kisii or a clan meeting in Kakamega, knowing the employer cannot easily check. The story often starts with “Nimepokea simu mbaya…” to set a somber, unquestionable tone.
Ask for specific details like the home county and the relationship. A follow-up call to express condolences can sometimes reveal the truth.
3. The Mysterious Court Date
Invoking the legal system is a powerful tactic to command immediate, unchallenged time off. The job seeker claims to have a mandatory court appearance, often for a minor traffic offense or a “family case.” It creates an aura of seriousness and the fear of legal repercussions if they don’t attend, which most employers want to avoid.
In the Kenyan context, they might name-drop Makadara Law Courts or Milimani, and cite a phantom traffic ticket from a month ago. They bank on the employer’s lack of desire to get involved with the complexities and perceived delays of our judiciary. The excuse often comes with a promise to bring a stamped court paper, which never materializes.
Require an official court summons or a stamped acknowledgment letter. Real court dates come with documented proof.
4. The ‘Nimekosa Fare’ Hustle
This is a direct financial play, often used after payday or when an advance has already been given. The employee claims they cannot report to work because they lack the bus fare, subtly requesting a small loan. It tests the employer’s generosity while masking a simple lack of commitment or poor financial planning.
With matatu fares in Nairobi easily hitting KES 200+ for a round trip, it’s a plausible story. The faker will cite a change in route, a broken ATM, or a stolen wallet. This excuse is particularly common with roles that have irregular pay structures or for staff living in far-flung areas like Kitengela or Juja.
Be very wary of repeated requests. Consider a one-time, deductable advance as a strict policy, not a regular favour.
Turning Awareness Into Action
Knowing these excuses is the first step, but the real power lies in changing how you respond to them. The core insight is that these stories are designed to be culturally bulletproof, exploiting your goodwill.
Start by formalizing your HR processes. For any absence, insist on verifiable proof—a medical note, a court stamp, or a written request for an advance. Use tools like the NSSF portal to verify employment history discreetly during hiring. When interviewing, ask scenario-based questions about handling obstacles to gauge genuine commitment.
Protecting your business from time-wasters allows you to focus resources on the real hustlers who will drive your vision forward.
The Bottom Line
The most important takeaway is that a genuine job seeker provides solutions, while a fake one specializes in manufactured problems. Their excuses are not random; they are a calculated strategy to avoid work while testing your limits. Recognizing this pattern is your strongest defence.
Use this knowledge to refine your hiring and management style—focus on evidence, not just stories, and you’ll naturally attract more serious, reliable talent for your team or project.
Frequently Asked Questions: 4 classic excuses of the fake job seeker in Kenya
Which of these excuses is the most common one employers hear?
The ‘Sudden Shughuli in the Shags’ is arguably the most frequent and difficult to challenge. It directly taps into our strong cultural respect for family and rural home obligations, making it a default, high-success excuse for many.
Do these excuses vary by region or county in Kenya?
Yes, the specific details often do. Someone from Western might cite a funeral in Kakamega, while one from Central may mention a land meeting in Nyeri. The structure of the excuse, however, remains the same nationwide—it’s urgent, personal, and hard to verify from Nairobi.
What’s the first thing I should do when I hear one of these lines?
Remain polite but immediately ask for verifiable proof. Whether it’s a medical slip, a court stamp, or a written request, shifting the conversation to documentation separates the genuine cases from the fabricated ones very quickly.
This approach is professional and protects you from accusations of being unfair or dismissive of real issues.
Are younger job seekers more likely to use certain excuses?
Younger applicants might lean more on the ‘Nimekosa Fare’ hustle or mysterious court dates, often related to traffic fines. More mature candidates may exploit the family obligation excuses. The goal of avoiding work, however, cuts across all age groups.
Where can I get proper HR guidance to handle this in Kenya?
For formal advice, consult the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) or an HR consultant. For practical, day-to-day templates for employment contracts and policy documents, checking resources from the Kenya Institute of Management can be very helpful for small business owners.
