Eldoret: Finland–Canada scholarship victims storm Uasin Gishu HQ demanding refunds
Key points
- Tuesday in Eldoret: affected parents and students marched on county HQ seeking Governor Jonathan Bii and a refund path.
- More than 300 parents had paid into the Finland–Canada overseas education programme; many children never left.
- Demonstrators rejected elders' and church leaders' plea to pause street action for two months.
- Protests came after a court found Senator Jackson Mandago and co-accused not guilty — a ruling families say does not repay losses.
By mid-morning on Tuesday, placards had already filled the approach to Uasin Gishu County headquarters in Eldoret. Parents and students who say they poured savings into the collapsed Finland and Canada overseas education programme demanded a face-to-face with Governor Jonathan Bii and a timetable for refunds, Eastleigh Voice reported.
Families described selling land, taking loans and running harambees to fund places that never materialised. "Our sons and daughters have suffered a lot by losing a great learning opportunity that cannot be compensated by any amount," protesters said, insisting many peers would already have graduated if the scheme had run as sold.
Court outcome versus cash still missing
The street pressure followed a recent judgment that found Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and co-accused not guilty on the scholarship-related charges. Victims argued that a not-guilty verdict does not restore fees paid to the county government. More than 300 parents had remitted money under the overseas education programme; large numbers of learners never travelled after the plan collapsed.
A day earlier, Kalenjin elders and church leaders in the county apologised to families over the roughly Sh1 billion Finland–Canada education saga and promised to help seek a solution within two months. Bishop Phillip Rono, Kalenjin Council of Elders chair Edwin Chepsiror and Major (Rtd) John Seii asked for calm and suspended demonstrations. Victims refused.
What county hall must publish
Bii's administration can cut the temperature only with a written refund matrix: who paid, how much, verification method and first tranche date. Crime and accountability desk: Crime.
Without that paper trail, elders' two-month pledge will read as another delay. County assembly oversight should demand the list of payments held by the county and any residual claims still in civil courts.
Based on Eastleigh Voice reporting of Eldoret protests and related court context. County payment records and court orders control formal liability.
