$8.5m Kenya education scam: Top govt official linked to failed Canada, Finland program

In a Nakuru court, testimonies have directly implicated Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii in the $8.5 million overseas education program, once praised for offering Kenyan students opportunities in Canada and Finland and now being exposed as a suspected scam.

Multiple witnesses claim that he supported the program after taking office, requested additional payments from parents, and later distanced himself from the scheme.

Investigations and court proceedings have revealed that parents paid a staggering KSh 1.1 billion, covering tuition, visa and insurance costs, and accommodation deposits, in a bid to secure a better future for their children.

Individual payments ranged from KSh 650,000 to over KSh 1.2 million ($5,000-$9,230), with some families paying as much as KSh 3 million ($23,100).

Daily Nation reported that one of the key witnesses, Mitchelle Jeptanui, told Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege that in June 2023, Governor Bii convened a meeting with parents and assured them that the trip will be approved soon.

“Parents were anxious because their children had received admission letters to universities in Finland and Canada but had yet to travel,” Jeptanui said.

She claimed that the Governor asked parents to make an additional KSh200,000 to KSh300,000 ($1,540 to $2,310), for accommodation fees, yet no students were sent abroad.

Two months after the meeting, parents demanded answers, but the Governor allegedly redirected responsibility to his predecessor, now Senator Jackson Mandago.

“Governor Bii called another meeting and invited Senator Mandago. He told us he didn’t fully understand the programme and asked the Senator to explain what had happened to our money,” Jeptanui added.

Jeptanui’s testimony detailed her own payments, which included KSh 10,000 ($77) for registration, KSh 650,000 ($5,000) for tuition, KSh 122,000 ($940) for visa and medicals, and KSh 300,000 ($2,310) for accommodation, all made between July 2022 and 2023. She added that Senator Mandago’s promise of refund remains unfulfilled to date.

Her account was followed by other witnesses, including Irene Chepchirchir and Joseph Kiplimo, who both testified that they had paid over KSh3 million ($23,100). Kiplimo said he paid an extra fee of KSh20,000 ($150), hoping to fast-track his son’s admission to Laurea University in Finland.

Benjamin Kibet, another parent, testified that he borrowed KSh650,000 ($5,000) to send his son to Stenberg College in Canada after learning about the programme from Senator Mandago and Governor Bii.

“My son never travelled. I am still hoping either for a refund or support for him to go,” he said.

Senator Mandago, alongside former county officials Meshack Rono and Joshua Lelei, will face criminal charges for allegedly misappropriating over KSh 1.1 billion intended for the scholarship initiative.

To date, 90 out of 202 prosecution witnesses have testified in the ongoing trial. Another witness, Asenath Okello said she paid KSh650,000 in November 2022 and KSh122,000 in January 2023 after receiving an admission offer.

In light of the widespread disappointment, she added that Mandago and Bii met with affected families, during which Mandago promised to sell his personal land to secure refunds.

“The Senator told us he would sell his land if necessary,” she said.

Despite mounting evidence that payments were made during his tenure, Governor Bii maintained his denial of any involvement, even after 7 of 8 witnesses testified otherwise. He claimed, however, that the program had been conceived and implemented solely by the previous administration.

As public pressure continues to mount for accountability and justice for the families whose dreams have been shattered, the court proceedings will continue next week.