‘Kama Ulikula Pesa, Jipange Kulipa Mapema,’ Ruto Says On Uasin Gishu Scholarship Scandal
President William Ruto has broken his silence regarding the Finland and Canada scholarship scandal, which has left hundreds of students stranded and dozens of parents devastated.
The Head of State, who was in Uasin Gishu on Wednesday for the beginning of the three-day Devolution Conference, acknowledged the scandal and implored anyone who may have misappropriated scholarship funds to initiate refunds.
“Mambo ya Finland najua tuko na matatizo, kuna wazazi wametoa pesa na pesa yao haijulikani iko wapi,” President Ruto told citizens. “Kama kuna mtu alikula hiyo pesa ajipange kulipa mapema ama ataingia taabani,”
President Ruto stated that the government will also provide local scholarships to students who were deceived by the scholarship scheme.
“Hapo mbele wakati uchaguzi utakuwa umekamilika tutaweza kusaidia wale watoto ambao wameshikwa kwa hii maneno, wapate scholarship hapa ndio tuweze kuendelea mbele,” he stated further.
Ruto asserts that while the government will assist those afflicted, those responsible will not be exonerated.
After it became apparent that millions of shillings had vanished from the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Trust scholarship bank account, more than 200 parents recorded statements with the DCI in Eldoret in the scandal that has unfolded in recent weeks.
The account reportedly received a total of Ksh.837,855,889 from over 200 pupils who traveled to Finland between May 2021 and December 2022 to pursue various courses at various universities and colleges.
Documents obtained by Citizen Television detailed millions of questionable withdrawals from the Trust Account.
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Meshack Rono, the county’s Director of Education, allegedly withdrew Ksh.18,363,689, followed by Maritim, the county’s Chief Officer of Education, who allegedly withdrew Ksh.14,486,700, and Lelei, the county’s Chief Officer, Vocational Training, who allegedly withdrew Ksh.5,683,400.
In March 2023, students were at risk of deportation because some universities had not received fees for the second semester and the county was unable to fulfill its contractual obligations.
On March 1st, one of the universities terminated its cooperation agreement with Uasin Gishu and Elgeiyo Marakwet counties due to outstanding tuition and housing fees.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions has thus far ordered the prosecution of Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and three others in connection with the scandal.
Joseph Kipkemoi Maritim, Meshak Rono, and Joshua Kipkemoi Lelei are the other officials.
Mandago and his co-accused are accused of conspiring to plunder Ksh.1.1 billion from a Kenya Commercial Bank account in Eldoret registered under the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund for overseas university fees for Uasin Gishu County Overseas Education Program students.
‘Kama Ulikula Pesa, Jipange Kulipa Mapema,’ Ruto Says On Uasin Gishu Scholarship Scandal
