Nakuru Court Orders Arrest of Uasin Gishu Governor Bii, Former Deputy Barorot
A Nakuru court has issued arrest warrants for Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and his former Deputy Governor John Barorot, following their failure to appear in court.
Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege’s order comes in the wake of their non-appearance for testimony in the ongoing Ksh1.1 billion Finland Education Programme scandal.
Additionally, arrest warrants have been issued for two other individuals linked to the case.
The scandal, which has captured public interest, involves accusations of misusing funds meant for a joint education initiative with Finland.
The case has faced numerous delays and non-compliance issues from key individuals expected to provide essential testimony about the fund mismanagement.
The Senior Principal Magistrate has extended arrest warrants to five people, including two previously bonded by the prosecution who failed to show up in court. The arrest orders now include Hillary Ruto, Stephen Lel, and Edwin Lel.
Moreover, the court has summoned two vital witnesses, Mercy Tarus and Joel Koech, to give their testimonies.
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These witnesses are critical in the case against Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and two others, who face charges related to financial misconduct in the Finland program.
The funds in question were originally allocated for an overseas education scholarship for underprivileged children.
Testimonies from Tarus and Koech are anticipated to be key in the case, providing insights into the alleged financial improprieties.
In July 2024, a startling confession in a Nakuru court revealed that Joel Cheruiyot Chelule, chairperson of the Uasin Gishu County Revolving Fund, admitted to receiving significant payments for accompanying a former county governor on international trips.
Chelule revealed that he was paid Ksh 700,000 as per diem for traveling with the former county governor to Finland and Canada in 2021.
Their trip was aimed at signing a Memorandum of Understanding with three universities to establish an overseas education program for students from the county.
Nakuru Court Orders Arrest of Uasin Gishu Governor Bii, Former Deputy Barorot
