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Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has asked the County Assembly to come up with legislations and policies to guide students who intend to study locally or internationally.

Bii said the legislation should include monitoring and evaluating agents managing overseas programmes.

Former Governor Jackson Mandago has come under fire after Uasin Gishu County Assembly ad-hoc committee, which investigated the Finland and Canada scholarship saga, found out that three senior officers in his administration were responsible for the mess.

The officials reportedly made themselves signatories of the fund and withdrew millions of shillings.

Speaking yesterday during his state of the county address at the County Assembly, Bii said the legislation will end confusion which has marred scholarship programmes.

“We recognize the youth as the driving force of our future. We seek your support in ensuring that their welfare is well catered for,” said Bii.

Driving lessons

EACC has commenced investigation into alleged embezzlement of more than Sh837 million from the scholarship programme.

The funds were collected from parents for the facilitation of education in Finland and Canada during the Financial Year 2021/2022.

Bii said his administration has got the interests of the youth at heart adding that the devolved unit has also provided driving lessons to 900 youths to equip them with essential skills for employment and safe road use.

“We have invested in the training of 849 youths equipping them with essential entrepreneurship skills, life skills, and knowledge regarding substance use and abuse, as well as mental health awareness. This education is instrumental for their personal development and fosters a healthier and more informed youth,” said Bii.

 Noting that agriculture serves as the cornerstone of the county’s economy, Bii said his administration had consistently prioritized its enhancement by implementing intelligent, technology-driven solutions to mitigate the challenges posed by climate change.

 He said his administration, in the last one year, has supplied more than 300 bags of potato seed to farmer groups in Ainabkoi Sub-County, 16,666 avocado seedlings, 83,333 coffee seedlings, 72,152 pyrethrum splits, and 8,000 macadamia seedlings  to promote crop diversification.

Bii welcomed the senate last week’s move to recommend that Eldoret Municipality be granted city status, citing compliance with the Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2011.