August 8, 2023

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is closed to concluding its investigation into the Uasin Gishu scholarship scandals, which has drawn the attention of Kenyans and sparked significant protects in the county. An insider at the commission informed Citizen Digital that the investigation is nearly finished. The source added that once the inquiry concludes, the case will be handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the subsequent steps. “The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, fully aware of the immense public interest and need for expeditious justice in this matter, has prioritized the investigation that commenced in the March 2023”, noted the insider “The commission is now at the tail end of the probe and will in the coming weeks submit the resultant file to the Director of Public Prosecutions with appropriate recommendations.” The anti-corruption agency has been investigating claims of misappropriation totaling ksh. 937 million involving Uasin Gishu County government officials. The funds were reportedly collected from parents to support scholarship programs for their children intending to study in Finland and Canada. Last Tuesday, Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago was Questioned by EACC investigators regarding the incident. This occurred due to his role as the county Governor when the scholarship fund was initially devised and put into action. Reportedly established in May 2021, the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund account saw an accumulation of ksh. 957,167,143 from parents by December 2022. Read Also: Reportedly established in May 2021, the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund account saw an accumulation of Ksh. 957,167,143 from parents by December 2022. A total of Ksh. 257,326,740 was taken from the account to help students going to Finland and Canada for the programs. The EACC is now looking closely at Ksh. 57,538,429 taken out within Uasin Gishu County by officials responsible for managing the funds. Just last month, more than 200 parents, whose kids were supposed to get scholarships for Canada and Finland, talked to the DCI. They asked for their money back and said they’re not interested anymore because they think Governor Jonanthan Bii and Senator Mandago are playing games with serious things that are hurting them. The parents blame Governor Jonathan Bii and Senator Mandago for mixing politics with important matters. The two leaders have been meeting with the parents to try and find solutions.

Reading Time: 3 minutesOn Monday, Senator Jackson Mandago of Uasin Gishu faced an uneasy situation as he engaged with parents and students in a meeting concerning the Finland education programme. The Uasin Gishu County Government Official, lead by the Governor Jonathan Bii , were also in attendance. Despite ongoing investigation by the Ethic and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) into the alleged misappropriation of shilling 837 million by Uasin Gishu County Government officials, both Governor Jonathan Bii and Senator Jackson Mandago have consistently refuted any accusation of mismanagement regarding the funds contributed by parents for their children’s fees. While making submissions, a parent raised an objection, asserting that Senator Jackson Mandago’s alleged statement claiming that parents hadn’t paid for school fees were untrue. He reported that a total of 51 students were granted admission to Finish university, with 25 of them enrolling in degree programs and the remaining 26 opting for nursing courses. “For Hon Mandago to say parent’s never paid fees is false,” he said. However, before the parent could continue , Senator Jackson Mandago interrupted him, uttering the phrase,’Ngoja kidogo’ (wait a moment). In response , other parents used hand gestures and vocalized their demand for the senator to allow the parent to complete his statement. “No! no! no!, i can not allow yoy to go further,” Mandago said. ” I’m not in dispute of what he has just said, but is there anywhere i said parents never paid fees?” the senator Asked. Seemingly acknowledging his mistake regarding that particular assertion, the parent somewhat abandoned that line of discussion and proceeded with his remarks. “Tulia, tulia Mr Mandago, tulia,” he said as the senator sought to clarify he said parents paid for fees. “Tulia, you must be emotionally intelligent, tulia. you had your time na umezungumuza mengi kwangu but it’s okay, it’s right,” the parent said. At the outset of the gathering, Senator Jackson Mandago had urge the attendees to maintain composure and allow each participant ample time toshare their viewpoints. Read Also: “Tulia, you must be emotionally intelligent, tulia. You had your time na umezungumuza mengi kwangu but it’s okay, it’s right,” the parent said. At the outset of the gathering, Senator Jackson Mandago had urged the attendees to maintain composure and allow each participant ample opportunity to share their viewpoints. “We all don’t have the same ideas , let everyone say they have to say, don’t tell them to keep quite,” he said. “We want to listen to every parent who has something to say, we wan to listen to everybody. Anyone who has evidence say it, that’s why we are here,” he added. As per the findings of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, a total of 233 students are currently engaged in their educational pursuits in Finland, while an additional of 45 students have chosen to further their studies in universities located in Canada. The commission disclosed that funds designated for children who had not yet embarked on their overseas journey were utilized to cover second-semester fees for those students who were already studying in international universities. The EACC stated that their ongoing investigation will uncover any potential instance of embezzlement that might have occurred throughput the process. “A total of sh257,326,740 was debited from the Uasin Gishu Overseas Account to beneficiaries indicated as agents and/ or intermediaries for onward transmission to universities in Finland and Canada,” EACC said in a statement on August 1. Additionally, the commission emphasized that the investigation will specifically center on the withdrawal of shilling 57,538,429 made by the county officials who were tasked with overseeing the management of the Trust Fund Account within the local context.