Mandago, 7 others to face fresh charges over Ksh.50M Finland scholarship scam

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and 7 others will now face fresh charges in connection with the Ksh.50 million Finland education scam.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has approved fresh charges proposed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) that has been investigating the case.

This after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) asked the DPP to drop the case before a Nakuru court where Senator Mandago and two co-accused persons were charged with misappropriating Ksh.1.1 billion, and charge them afresh.

DPP Ingonga is hence seeking to have the case withdrawn under Section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code .

Reports indicate that the DCI had noted a number of gaps in the case, where more than 30 witnesses out of the 202 lined up have testified before Nakuru Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege.

The suspects in the case are: Mandago, Joseph Kipkemboi Maritim (Former Chief Officer, Youth Affairs), Meshack Rono (Deputy Director, Revolving Fund), Joshua Lelei (Chief Education Officer, Revolving Fund), Phylis Wanjiku (Gender Officer), Tony Kibet Tanui (Principal Education Officer), Joel Rutto (Director, County Education Revolving Fund ) and Skill Dove Limited.

The DPP is now proposing to charge the 7 with: conspiracy to commit an offense of economic crime, abuse of office, breach of trust, fraudulent acquisition of public property, and uttering false documents contrary to section 353 of the Penal Code.

The DCI argued that EACC had stronger evidence that could lead to the conviction of the suspects and enable recovery of the stolen money.

Some of the gaps noticed in the ongoing case include:

1. The number of students admitted to Finland’s universities, the amount of academic fees and other incidental costs paid by each student.

2. Securing of original documents was not obtained as EACC had already collected them.

3. The number of students admitted in Canada’s universities, the amount of academic fees and other incidental costs paid by each student.

4. The number of Visas processed at the Embassy of Finland and High Commission of Canada for the students and the Visa processing fee.

5. Agents who were the link between the county government of Uasin Gishu and the universities in both countries were not established in their probe.

Pathway studies to Finland universities was also not covered, as well as clarity on the following:

1. The stage the programme was introduced

2. How it was being offered, either online or physical, and by whom

3. How much it cost per student

4. How many students participated in the programme and whether the cost was inclusive in the whole academic year fee.