Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii wants elders and religious leaders in Eldoret to broker a truce between the County Government and affected parents in the Finland and Canada Overseas Education Programme dispute.
The move comes ten days after the Nakuru Law Courts exonerated former Governor and current Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and his two co-accused in the Sh1.1 billion scholarship scandal
Governor Bii said although the county government respects the court’s decision and the ruling, parents of the affected students lost monies and were still puzzled over the outcome of the case and demanded answers.
Basing his directive on Article 159(2(c) of the Constitution and the County Governments Act, Bii said he had instructed the County legal team to amicably resolve the dispute through mediation and reconciliation as provided for under the Alternative Justice System mechanism.
Further, he noted that religious leaders and respected elders, and the County Assembly leadership will be involved to guide an inclusive reconciliation process intended to deliver a fair settlement acceptable to all parties.
“I will pursue every available legal route that is in the public interest to help affected families get the justice they deserve,” he said.
According to the Governor, the foreign scholarship initiative was not a county project and no parental contributions were deposited into government accounts.
He added that despite this, the county carries a moral and leadership obligation to support measures aimed at delivering justice and logical conclusion of the matter.
Bii said parents those whose children failed to secure Finland placements despite paying millions of shillings presented a petition to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly.
“We established an ad hoc committee and urged relevant government agencies to carry out further investigations in 2022,” he explained.
While issuing the statement, the Governor acknowledged the concerns among those affected keep growing. Last week Tuesday, families and learners met the press in Eldoret and said the recent court outcome was a big disappointment after almost four years of seeking answers.
The families that gathered outside Uasin Gishu Governor’s office in Eldoret demanded and compensation.
By Shaline Jeruto
