Jackson Mandago's Arrest Was Massive PR To Stop Maandamano In Uasin Gishu, Robert Alai

• Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai said the Uasin Gishu county leadership needs to apologise to Kenyans for the airlift programme scam
• The outspoken Ward Representative said the arrest of Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago was a public relations stunt
• Alai claimed the arrest was meant to slow down the momentum of parents who were demanding to have their money back

Nairobi - Kileleshwa ward representative Robert Alai has poked holes in the arrest of Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago.

On Wednesday, August 16, A Nakuru court issued a warrant of arrest for Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago and three county officials over the Finland scholarship scam.

National Police Service later claimed Mandago had gone into hiding after the arrest warrant was issued against him.

The former county chief was later arrested at his residence in Eldoret town and taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations regional office in Nakuru.

Why Alai thinks it was PR stunt

In a statement on the X app on Friday, August 18, the outspoken MCA dismissed Mandago's much-publicised arrest.

The politician explained that the arrest was a well-planned Public Relations gimmick meant to deflate the momentum the calls to refund the families had gathered.

"Mandago’s arrest was PR. Massive PR to deflate the Uasin Gishu’s Maandamano over the Finland Scam," he wrote.

Alai further stated that the Uasin Gishu county leadership should apologise to Kenyans on behalf of the affected families.

"We demand apology on behalf of those conned by Mandago, Bii and their team," he added.

Why did Uasin Gishu parents suspend demos

In a related development, parents and students of the botched Finland/Canada scholarship programme called off their planned demonstrations scheduled for Tuesday, August 15, and Wednesday, August 16, saying they have done so out of respect for President William Ruto.

Ruto was currently in the county perceived as his political bastion to preside over the opening of the 8th Devolution Conference.

Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, human rights activist Kimutai Kirui one of the conveners of the demonstrations, called for a refund of the monies.

The aggrieved parents and students were to stage demonstrations outside the conference hall at the Eldoret Sports Club.

"We ceased demos not because of Governor Jonathan Bii, or Senator Jackson Mandago, or the devolution conference but on certain fundamental grounds. One is the president," Kirui said.

According to Kirui, the Opposition Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party can't be putting pressure on the president in Nairobi, and they also demonstrate against him at home.