Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has proposed the use of the Alternative Justice System (AJS) to help resolve the long-running Finland and Canada Overseas Education Programme dispute, barely five days after the Nakuru Law Courts acquitted former Governor and current Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and his co-accused in the Sh1.1 billion scholarship case.
In a statement released Monday, Governor Bii said the county government respects the court’s decision and the independence of the Judiciary but acknowledged that the ruling had left many affected families without answers over the fate of the money they lost.
“The County Government of Uasin Gishu has taken note of, and respects, the ruling delivered by the Nakuru Law Courts regarding the Overseas Education Programme. We remain committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting the independence of the Judiciary,” the Governor stated.
He clarified that the overseas education initiative was not a County Government programme and that funds contributed by parents were never deposited into county government accounts.
However, he said the county bears a moral and leadership responsibility to support efforts aimed at securing justice and closure for affected families.
Governor Bii noted that in 2022, the Uasin Gishu County Assembly received a petition from parents whose children had failed to secure placements in Finland despite paying millions of shillings.
He stated an ad hoc committee was constituted following the petition and recommended further investigations by relevant government agencies.
The Governor questioned what would become of the affected students, who should be held accountable for funds collected from parents, and whether any refunds had been made and through which accounts.
Citing Article 159(2)(c) of the Constitution and the County Governments Act, Bii directed the County Legal Team to explore the possibility of resolving the dispute through the Alternative Justice System, involving mediation and reconciliation.
He further said respected elders, religious leaders and the County Assembly leadership had been engaged to facilitate an inclusive mediation process aimed at achieving a fair, amicable and lasting settlement.
“I am committed to pursuing every lawful avenue that promotes the public interest and helps affected families obtain justice and closure,” he said.
The Governor appealed to all parties to participate in the process in good faith to bring the matter to a dignified conclusion.
The statement comes amid growing dissatisfaction among victims of the overseas education programme, who have strongly criticised last week’s acquittal of Mandago and his co-accused.
During a press briefing in Eldoret on Friday, affected parents and students described the court’s decision as a major setback, saying it denied them justice despite the huge financial losses they suffered.
The victims urged the national government to intervene by facilitating educational opportunities for students whose dreams of studying abroad were shattered, while also demanding accountability for the funds they paid into the programme.
They maintained that although the criminal case had been concluded, the financial and emotional burden on hundreds of affected families remained unresolved.
Meanwhile, the victims announced plans to stage peaceful protests on Tuesday (Today) at the Uasin Gishu Governor’s office in Eldoret as they continue to seek justice and compensation over the overseas education programme.
By Fredrick Maritim
