On Tuesday, July 28, a group of parents in Uasin Gishu County staged a peaceful protest in Eldoret, demanding refunds for funds lost in a failed overseas education programme.
The initiative, which involved sending students to institutions in Finland and Canada, collapsed with over KSh 1.1 billion reportedly lost. More than 300 parents had paid substantial sums, hoping their children would study abroad, but the programme never materialized.
Parents Demand Accountability
Parents, accompanied by their children who were supposed to travel, marched to the governor's office to express their frustration, particularly following the recent acquittal of Senator Jackson Mandago and two county officials on charges related to the programme.
Joakim Rotich, one of the aggrieved parents, said, "We want our money back. It was our hard-earned money, and those responsible must be held accountable." Rotich revealed he had paid KSh 1.2 million after selling assets to fund his child's intended studies at the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Similarly, Brian Kimutai, whose parents also paid KSh 1.2 million for his studies at Thompson Rivers University in Canada, remains in Kenya four years later. He lamented the loss and called on leaders to take responsibility.
Calls for Justice and Continued Protests
The parents vowed to maintain their protests until their money is refunded. They urged local leaders, including Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, to intervene and assist them in seeking justice.
Esther Kemboi, another parent, appealed to President William Ruto, expressing disappointment with the court ruling and questioning the prospects of justice in the country.
When the parents attempted to meet Governor Jonathan Bii at the county headquarters, they were denied entry. They then proceeded to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) regional office in North Rift.
EACC regional manager Kuntai Ole Tingisha advised the parents to pursue their case in a higher court if dissatisfied with the Nakuru court's decision. He stated that the commission had conducted a thorough investigation before forwarding the matter to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
County Government's Response
In response to the controversy, the Uasin Gishu County Government announced it is exploring alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to address the financial losses suffered by families.
Governor Jonathan Bii acknowledged the emotional toll the failed programme has had on affected families and emphasized the county's moral duty to seek a fair resolution.
