Renowned city businesswoman Damaris Muriithi, popularly known as Dama Wa Spares, has announced that she will no longer offer jobs to individuals who seek employment online, citing repeated disappointments with previous hires.
In a candid post on Facebook on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Dama shared that her experience with employees sourced online has been fraught with challenges. She questioned whether the issues stem from poor hiring choices or from individuals misunderstanding her playful online persona and bringing the same attitude to work.
“All people who reached out online and got jobs with us have ended up disappointing us. Could it be that we pick the wrong people or do they see me joke a lot online and extend the same to work?” she asked.
Loss of Trust in Online Applicants
The repeated disappointments have eroded Dama’s trust in applicants seeking jobs through social media. She recounted examples of employees arriving late or not showing up for work without communication, comparing their behavior to that of entitled individuals.
“This has made me not trust anyone begging for a job online. You beg for a job, get hired, and then show up when you feel like it? If you’re absent, you don’t even communicate. It’s as if you’re the boss,” she stated humorously.
Preference for Local Hires
Dama also highlighted her preference for employees sourced from her upcountry area, citing consistently positive experiences with them. She noted that any misbehavior can be immediately addressed by contacting their parents, a level of accountability she finds effective.
“This is the reason I prefer watu wa ushago kwetu. If they misbehave, I just call their mother. Online applicants have spoiled the reputation of genuine job seekers,” she added.
Dama Wa Spares, who runs a thriving mobile phone spare parts business, has previously extended opportunities to applicants from social media. However, her recent experiences have led her to adopt a more cautious approach, prioritizing accountability and reliability over online applications.
Her remarks serve as a reminder of the challenges businesses face in hiring through social media and the importance of balancing accessibility with accountability in recruitment.
