How Uasin Gishu student lost Sh650,000 in collapsed Canada study scheme

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, Joshua Lelei and Meshack Rono before Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege on March 11, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] A student narrated to the court how he deferred studies in Kenya, in the hope of getting a chance in Canada under the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Programme, only for the same to collapse. Brian Kipchumba testified yesterday against Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and county officials Meshack Rono and Joshua Lelei. The three have been on trial before Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege since 2023, for allegedly stealing Sh1.1 billion deposited in the county government's account, between March 2021 and September 2022. In his testimony, Kipchumba said he was pursuing a Diploma in Information Technology (IT) at Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) in Eldoret until July 2022, when he deferred studies. "I paused my studies at RVTTI when I met Rono and Lelei, and they informed me about a programme in Canada. I got interested and convinced my parents to allow me to shift abroad," testified Kipchumba. He testified that he went to the county offices to get the details about the programme, and after research, they were convinced that it was genuine. On July 26, 2022, Kipchumba said he paid Sh10,000 for registration, and he was later informed that he would be admitted at Stenberg College in Canada, once he paid fees totalling to Sh650,000. "On October 17, 2022, I paid Sh400,000 to the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Trust Fund Account for registration, and on October 18, 2022, I paid the remaining Sh250,000 to the same account," he testified. He said he had hopes that he would pursue a Diploma in IT at Stenberg, but since he made his payment, the county government went silent on the programme. Kipchumba said he visited the offices several times, pushing for information and explanation, but whatever he got was not satisfying. "I paused my studies in Kenya to move abroad, and my parents supported me, but then my hopes were crushed when the time passed without any clear information," he told the court. He added that he did not get an acceptance letter like other students he applied with. Kipchumba testified that in early 2023, he was promised to wait until July 2023 for another programme, but at that point, he had lost trust in the programme. "The matter started getting fishy, and I opted to withdraw from it. I wrote a letter to the County government for a refund but I got no response," he testified. Kipchumba, who testified as witness 124, said that his brother also paid Sh1.2 million for a degree programme, but he was refunded after writing a letter. He blames both Mandago's government and the current Governor Jonathan Bii's administration for his miseries and seeks justice. During cross-examination by Lawyer Stephen Kibungei, Kipchumba admitted that he would only get justice if both the current and former county government administrations were held accountable. "I trusted the county government with my money and details, but I have not travelled to date, nor got a refund," he testified. Mandago and his co-accused persons have denied 10 counts of stealing, conspiracy, abuse of office, forgery, among others. The hearing of the case continues tomorrow.

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