Uasin Gishu Senator, Jackson Mandago, recorded a statement with investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) investigating the highly publicized scholarship scandal in Uasin Gishu County.

PHOTO | COURTESY  Senator Jackson Mandago

The cancellation of the Finland and Canada scholarship programs has sparked outrage and large protests in Uasin Gishu, with hundreds of graduates and their parents marching to the streets to seek reimbursements from the county government.

Mandago was also probed by investigators from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Tuesday last week for his role in the initiative, which was established during his stint as Governor.

The Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund account is believed to have been formed in May 2021, and by December 2022, parents had credited Ksh.957,167,143 to the account.


PHOTO | COURTESY  Senator Jackson Mandago

Ksh.257,326,740 was deducted from the account to support beneficiaries' travel to Finland and Canada for the programs.

The anti-corruption body is concentrating its investigation on Ksh.57,538,429 withdrawn locally by Uasin Gishu County officials entrusted to oversee the cash.

Yesterday, parents and victims of the Finland/Canada scholarship scandal in Uasin Gishu County took to the streets in Eldoret Town.

PHOTO | COURTESY Governor Bii

The outraged parents and youths demanded President William Ruto intervene in the misuse of cash that has crushed them. They repeated that the planned devolution conference will begin next week in Eldoret and will not occur unless they receive their money back.

Mercy Tarus, one of the students affected by the scholarship saga, confronted the governor and senator, accusing them of lying to the students.

The young lady noted that the children of the politicians have all moved to Australia or Europe, adding that the politicians have given their children a headstart while the children of poor people still languish in absolute poverty.