Uasin Gishu Governor Bii suspends county employees in Finland Scholarship mess

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has suspended senior county employees who allegedly pocketed funds meant for over 200 Kenyan students who are in Finland for their education scholarships.

Addressing the press on Thursday, the governor issued the directive saying that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) would be probing the officials.

Meanwhile, he said the KCB Trust Account facilitating the students would continue to cater for their needs abroad in line with the guidelines of the county assembly committees handling the case.

“The cabinet today looked at the report and resolved that the county employees who have been involved in the management of oversees trust account and the program to step aside pending the conclusion of a forensic audit by EACC,” he stated.

“The trust will continue to operate, and facilitate ongoing students as per the recommendation of the county assembly and handling committee.”

Governor Bii gave the commission one month to address the matter, further stating that officials who would be found culpable would be charged in a court of law.

“...Engage the EACC to quickly carry out forensic audits on the Uasin Gishu Trust account KCB and finalize the same within 30 days... any official found culpable will face the full force of the law,” said Bii.

Consequently, the county boss called off new applications in both Canada and Finland, maintaining that the county would only be dealing with the ongoing students.

While calling upon Finland to allow direct fee payment in a bid to eliminate agents who have led to the stalemate, Bii also told the parents who have their students in the foreign country to clear their fees arrears as previously agreed.

He reassured that his administration was working to ensure a policy framework is established between Kenya and Finland to address similar issues.

“I urge the universities in Finland to consider allowing parents and students to pay fees directly to the colleges as this is the practice all over the world and not to engage on third party agents,” he advised.

“In line with my manifesto to enhance skills and employability of our youth, I have expanded the terms of reference of the Finland taskforce headed by the deputy governor to discuss and draft a policy framework governing overseas student programs for Uasin Gishu.”

A recent expose by Citizen TV revealed that 202 students from the County that were studying in Finland are facing deportation after the county failed to remit tuition fees for their second semester as per the scholarship agreement.