Education scam victims query Bii's absence from charges

The victims of the Sh1.1 billion Finland and Canada Education Programme scandal case have raised concerns on why the current Governor, Jonathan Bii, has not been charged.

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and two other county officials, Meshack Rono and Joshua Lele, are charged with misappropriation of the funds.

However, on Thursday, victims testified that they lost their money during the tenure of the new Governor Bii.

Eliud Kipchirchir testified before Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege that he paid a total of Sh732,000 between October 24, 2022 and January 14, 2023, for his sister Linet Jerono to study in Sternberg, Canada.

"I heard about the programme when the new governor took office. To facilitate my sister's study, I deposited Sh600,000 on October 24, 2022, into the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Trust fund account.

He testified that he was told to pay another Sh50,000 for medical before January 2023, when her sister was supposed to travel.

He complained that the programme was delayed and their questions went unanswered until January 14, when he was requested to pay Sh82,000 for Visa applications.

"I made frequent visits to the Uasin Gishu county government offices to inquire about the state of the programme, and the county staff kept telling me all was well. But I was not convinced," he testified.

He said in April 2023, the county leadership called for a meeting, having bowed to the pressure from parents and briefed them, only to realise no money had been paid to Canada.

"Governor Bii promised to look into the matter and find an amicable solution, whether to proceed with the programme or make a refund and the report of the team he had mandated to investigate the matter," he testified.

He said that in May 2023, he wrote a refund letter, but on July 10, 2023, his parents were informed that there was no money in the account, hence the refund could not be implemented.

During cross-examination by Lawyers Stephen Kibungei and Elijah Kibet, Kipchirchir testified that he felt that Governor Biii would have been in a better position to explain where the money went.

"Honestly, I hold him responsible. I am surprised he is not among the accused persons, and I wish he could be here," testified Kipchirchir.

According to the witness, Bii's explanation on what happened to the program, including claims that some of the students had not qualified, was insufficient and unconvincing to him.

Daniel Kiplagat said he wanted to facilitate his two children, Julie Jepkosgei and Allan Birget, to go and study in Finland and Canada, respectively.

Kiplagat said he paid Sh1.28 million between July 4, 2022 and July 17, 2022, to facilitate his daughter's study.

Further, he said that as his daughter was processing her studies, he enrolled his son and paid Sh1.15 million between September 15, 2022 and November 2, 2022.

"None of my children travelled. None got an acceptance or admission letter, and I have not been refunded to date," he testified.

Despite paying his son's fees during Bii's tenure, Kiplagat said he was shocked when the immediate former Deputy Governor, John Baroro, announced that the new government found no money in the account.

"It shocked me when the new government announced that only Sh1.8 million was in the account. I did a refund letter since I did not trust the process," he testified.

The parent testified that he was surprised that the governor or his administration was not among those charged in court.

"The promises were so many when the new government took office, but nothing came to fruition," he testified.

The hearing of the case continues on August 4 and 5.