Parents now want President William Ruto to intervene in the Finland scholarship saga that saw students hoping to study overseas lose billions after they were duped by senior county officials. 

The parents of the affected students yesterday challenged the President, who hails from Uasin Gishu County, to crack the whip on those who have been adversely mentioned in the saga. 

Noah Kemboi, a parent, said Ruto should walk the talk and fulfil the promise he made during the Devolution Conference held last year in Eldoret, where he assured parents and the affected students that those responsible for the mess would be held to account. 

“We are reaching out to President Ruto to fulfil his promise to support the stranded youth, many of whom are languishing at home after they were conned out of their money,” said Kemboi. 

Former Governor Jackson Mandago, who is now the Uasin Gishu Senator, has come under fire after the Uasin Gishu County Assembly ad-hoc committee, which investigated the scam, found out that three senior officers under his administration were responsible for the mess. 

During the Devolution Conference, Mandago, who accompanied the Head of State during a number of stopovers in Eldoret town, found himself on the receiving end after parents accused him in front of the President of defrauding them.  

This forced Ruto to break his silence on the matter and assured parents and students that those responsible will be dealt with firmly. 

“As a native of this place, let me assure you that anybody who engages in corruption will not be spared by this administration. Everybody will carry their own cross,” Ruto told the charged crowd. 

Legal issue 

Mandago and his co-accused have denied 10 charges of conspiracy to steal, abuse of office and forgery in the Finland Education Programme saga.  

They are facing charges at a Nakuru Court for conspiracy to steal Sh1.1 billion from KCB Bank in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County between March 1, 2021 and September 12, 2022. 

Mandago’s successor, Jonathan Bii, has called on the County Assembly to come up with legislation and policies to guide students who intend to study locally or internationally, under the support of the county.  

According to Governor Bii, the legislation will bring an end to the confusion that has marred scholarship programmes and will give a safe space for the future of children. 

“We recognise the youths as the driving force of our future, my administration is firm on their empowerment since they form the biggest population. We seek your support in ensuring that their welfare is well catered for,” said Bii in a letter to the Assembly.  

The parents and the affected students are planning to hold a fund drive next month in a bid to raise funds for the affected students to study locally.