Jackson Mandago: Court Orders Arrest Of Uasin Gishu Senator, 3 Others Over Finland Scholarship Saga

• Office of the Director of Public Prosecution ordered the prosecution of Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago and three other officials
• The other officials named by ODPP are Joseph Kipkemoi Maritim, Meshak Rono and Joshua Kipkemoi Lelei
• ODPP wants the four to be charged in connection to the Finland scholarship scandal, where parents are feared to have lost millions

Uasin Gishu - A Nakuru court has issued a warrant of arrest for Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago and three county officials over the Finland scholarship scam.

Detectives handling the case moved to court after their efforts to reach the wanted officials failed to materialise.

Why DPP want Jackson Mandago charged

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution had consented to prosecute Mandago and three other officials with three offences, Nation reported.

The Uasin Gishu senator is expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, stealing and abuse of office.

The other officials named by the detectives are Joseph Kipkemoi Maritim, Meshak Rono and Joshua Kipkemoi Lelei

According to detectives, Mandago and others are accused of conspiring to steal KSh 1. 1 billion from a Kenya Commercial Bank account in Eldoret registered under the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund.

The money was meant for overseas university fees for students under Uasin Gishu County Overseas Education Programme.

Why did Uasin Gishu parents suspended 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 is currently in the county perceived to be his political bastion to officiate over the opening of the 10th 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 them at home demonstrate against him as well.

"Second, the county security apparatus obeyed the law during the two demos. The police gave us escort and coverage throughout. We couldn't pressure them, by providing security to delegates/visitors, and running battles with us," Kirui added.