Viral Gen Z TikToker Anne Kabei, who came to limelight after posting a heartfelt farewell message ahead of the June 25 protests, has called out real estate company Magnate Development for allegedly offering her a job that never materialized.
Kabei was among the many young Kenyans who took to social media to share their final wishes before participating in the highly anticipated demonstrations.
In her video, she reflected on the frustrations of going to school only to struggle to secure employment.
“This is the last thing I want to say before I die tomorrow. They told us education was the key to success. We studied in classes with no windows, in torn uniforms, and on empty stomachs,” she narrated.
“Our parents gave everything – sold cows, missed meals – just to see us graduate. Now here I am, graduated, jobless, hopeless.”
Her emotional message caught the attention of many, including Connie Karanja, a representative of Magnate Development Limited, a subsidiary of Magnate Ventures, Kenya’s leading billboard company.
Gen Z Kabei Slams Magnate Ventures Over Unkept Job Promise
She went on to explain how Kabei’s video had touched her deeply and prompted her to reach out with hope:
“I saw Kabei’s video, and it really touched my heart. I just want to tell her that it’s not time to give up. It’s okay to fight for our rights, but it’s not the end of the road.”
Karanja then offered Kabei a job on behalf of her director:
“Kindly reach out to me, Connie Karanja, from Magnet Development Limited, and we shall be able to offer you a job. I’m here on behalf of my director to tell you not to give up. There is hope at the end of the day.”
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However, days later, Kabei released a video accusing the company of using her for public relations without fulfilling the promise. She said despite the public job offer, she was later ignored and ghosted by the company.
“I know you all saw my video that was trending last week. This is for the company that used my pain for PR. You did not uplift me. You finished me completely,” she said tearfully.
Kabei added that the company had not even asked about her qualifications before going public with the job offer.
“They did not hire me. They used my pain to trend. Even before they knew what I studied, they had already posted online that they had offered me a job.”
Kabei Says Her Dad Sold Goats
The hope of finally landing a job, she said, had real consequences for her family. She narrated how her father, a boda boda rider in Turkana County, saw the video and believed she had secured employment.
Overjoyed, he sold two goats to raise fare for her to travel to Nairobi and start the supposed job.
“Not only did you disappoint me, you embarrassed my family. I have not been sleeping since that day. I’ve been having heartaches. You broke my heart.”
Kabei revealed that she tried to follow up after what she described as an informal interview with the company but received no further communication.
“People keep asking me about my new job—and I don’t know what to say. Maybe I wasn’t your perfect candidate. Maybe I wasn’t qualified. But why did you go online and say you hired me without even knowing what I studied?” she posed.
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She ended her video by sharing the emotional toll the experience has taken on her—and the shame she now carries.
“So, I guess my father has to return the goats and pay back the people who trusted us. I will walk with the shame every day—the shame of trending because I got a job, yet I’m still at home. Why did you raise my hopes? I thought I could finally leave Turkana and make a living, come back and change home. But you humiliated me publicly.”
Company’s Response
In an email sent to Kabei and seen by The Kenya Times, the company stated: “At this stage, we are still in the process of assessing the various qualities and professional alignments that best suit our current roles and internal culture.”
“While no immediate opportunity may be available that matches your profile, we will keep your details on record for any future openings where we believe your strengths and potential may be a better fit.
We encourage you to continue building on your experience and professional skills, as growth is a continuous journey. Thank you once again for your time and interest in being part of our team,” it added.
By the time of publishing, the company was yet to issue a statement over these allegations.
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