On September 14th, 2021, the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Trust scholarship program was officially flagged off by Mr. Jackson Mandango the current Sentaor of Uasin Gishu County.

This program, which had been widely promoted within the county, using the county logo in program advertisements; presented students with a remarkable chance to attain scholarships in esteemed institutions located in Canada and Finland. This includes institutions such as Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä University, Tampere University, and several others situated in Finland. 

The application process involved obtaining documents from the department's offices on the 11th floor of KVDA Plaza. Applicants were then required to submit their applications to the Department of Youth and Sports. Upon submission, applicants were directed to pay a processing fee of KSh 6,500 for interviews. Subsequently, successful candidates were expected to make a further payment of KSh 1.19 million for school fees, KSh 80,000 for a three-month accommodation fee, KSh 30,000 for insurance, KSh 49,000 for visa processing, KSh 5,000 for a COVID-19 test, and Ksh. 100,000 for flight tickets. 

All financial transactions were channeled to the Uasin Gishu Education Overseas Trust Account, held at KCB Eldoret East Branch  account number 1285922778. This account had been opened in March 21, 2021 with Joseph Maritim (immediate former Chief Officer of Youth and Sports), Joshua Kipkemoi Lelei and Meshack Rono (Deputy Director of the County Education Revolving Fund and Trustee), as registered signatories.

Students who successfully submitted their applications and fulfilled the stipulated payments were given acceptance letters from the respective universities; and the county government bestowed upon them certificates of full scholarship.

Between May 2021 and December 2022, a total of KES 837,855,889 was collected. This sum was achieved through parents selling their property, holding harambees, and taking significant loans to provide their children with this opportunity.

 

 

Parents and students were led to believe that the funds would cover first-year fees (two semesters) and six months of accommodation to allow time for job-seeking to support further studies.

Beginning September 14th, 2021, the County sent a total of 202 students to Finnish universities, including Tampere University (111), Jvaskyla (25), and Laurea (66). Around 182 students also started the process and were supposed to travel to Finland for their studies; among them, 56 who began by completing their first semester online. 

Trouble began when Laurea University suspended classes for Kenyan students, citing unpaid tuition fees for the second semester. They set deadlines of February 28, 2023, and later March 31, 2023, before terminating the students study rights and program. Similarly, Tampere University terminated their cooperation agreement with the county government on March 1, 2023, due to unpaid tuition and accommodation fees, as conveyed by the Vice President Ari Sivula. 

This news reached the Finnish Immigration Service, resulting in canceled residence permits and the repatriation of students back to Kenya. Back at home, the program was also unraveling for students who had paid for their travel and were eagerly awaiting their flights, only to find their plans continuously postponed by the county.

 

 

Amid disappointment, parents and students sought refunds from the county. 

The current Governor, Mr. Jonathan Chelilim Bii, finally gave them unfortunate news – the county couldn't pay for the students nor refund the money because the total funds left in the account was KES 1.8Mn. This left a significant gap of KES 138.3 million needed to cover the costs for the students in the program. Mr. Bii claimed that the shortfall was because some parents still owed KES 87.6 million, and there was an accidental overpayment of KES 17.8 million to the University institutions. Strangely, KES 32.7 million could not be explained.

Deputy Governor Mr. Barorot clarified that while the county was unable to refund the funds, they have diligently maintained a record of parents who made payments for the program.

 

 

Following the raised concerns, an investigation was initiated in March 2023. the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has also issued orders for and arrested the three KCB account signatories. 

Nonetheless, the process has been unduly prolonged. We are also mindful that an arrest does not necessarily lead to prosecution. Furthermore, arrest alone falls short of addressing the dire situation, considering that numerous parents now find themselves in poverty due to the mismanagement and theft of their accumulated life savings.

We refuse to forget and move on from this injustice!

 

We demand:

1 The overseas education department ensures continuation of their studies for students who have fulfilled their fees and related expenses. 

2. Swift and uncomplicated refunds for students who seek reimbursement of their fees, without undue delays.

3. Any responsible official found guilty to be fully held accountable of the law.