Uasin Gishu scholarship saga: EACC to complete probe 'in the coming weeks'

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is nearing the end of its probe into the Uasin Gishu scholarship scandal that has attracted the ire of Kenyans and caused massive protests in the county.

A source at the commission told Citizen Digital that investigations are almost complete, further that the file will then be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the next course of action.

“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, fully aware of the immense public interest and need for expeditious justice in this matter, has prioritized the investigation that commenced in March 2023,” noted the insider.

“The Commission is now at the tail end of the probe and will in the coming weeks submit the resultant file to the Director of Public Prosecutions with appropriate recommendations.”

The anti-graft agency has been probing allegations of embezzlement of over Ksh.837 million by officials of the Uasin Gishu County government collected from parents for the facilitation of scholarship programmes for their children to Finland and Canada.

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago on Tuesday last week appeared before EACC detectives for questioning over the saga in his capacity as the county Governor when the scholarship fund was conceptualized and operationalized.

The Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund account is said to have been opened in May 2021, and by December 2022, Ksh.957,167,143 had been credited to the account by parents.

A total of Ksh.257,326,740 was debited from the account to beneficiaries to facilitate them to Finland and Canada for the programmes.

EACC is now focusing its probe on Ksh.57,538,429 withdrawn locally by Uasin Gishu County officials appointed to manage the fund.

Over 200 parents whose children were to benefit from scholarships in Canada and Finland, last month recorded statements with the DCI demanding refunds saying they are no longer interested in the arrangements.

The parents have blamed Governor Jonathan Bii and Senator Mandago for what they termed as political games on serious issues that have greatly affected them.

The two county leaders have since held various meetings with the affected parents with a view to reaching amicable solutions.