Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii is once again under heavy scrutiny after photos of his nearly completed multi-million-shilling private mansion in Kapsang near Eldoret University surfaced online.
The images, shared by political commentator Cornelius Ronoh on February 11, 2025, immediately sparked heated debates across the country. The house, which many describe as palatial, has raised serious questions about how the governor could afford such a project while facing unresolved corruption scandals.
The uproar comes just months after Bii, also known as Koti Moja, was grilled by the Senate Committee on County Public Accounts over Ksh654 million in county funds that could not be accounted for.
The coincidence of these two matters has not gone unnoticed, with many linking the construction of his mansion to the missing money.
The timing has deepened suspicions that public funds may have been diverted for personal gain. This has added more pressure on Bii, who already faces public distrust over past scandals.
His case is further complicated by his association with the infamous Finland education scholarship scandal, where over Ksh1.1 billion meant to help students study abroad vanished.
Alleged House being constructed by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii. Photo Courtesy/Cornelius K Rono/X
In September 2024, a Nakuru court went as far as ordering his arrest alongside his former deputy John Barorot after they failed to testify in relation to this scandal.
For many residents, the memory of families losing their hard-earned money in the fraudulent program remains fresh, making it harder for Bii to explain how he is now financing a luxury home.
Jonathan Bii’s political career has been marked by both resilience and controversy. First entering politics in 2007, he attempted to capture the Eldoret North parliamentary seat but lost to William Ruto.
His persistence eventually paid off when he was elected as Uasin Gishu governor in 2022 under the UDA ticket.
While he boasts academic credentials, including a PhD in project planning and management, and professional experience from Moi University where he mentored students, these achievements are now overshadowed by accusations of corruption and misuse of public trust.
The images of his mansion tell a story of grandeur large modern designs, luxurious finishes, and an air of extravagance that does not sit well with ordinary citizens who continue to struggle with unemployment and rising living costs. For a man who has failed to clear his name from major corruption cases, building such a home at this moment only widens the gap between him and the people he governs.
Governor Bii’s silence over the growing questions about the mansion further damages his credibility. Instead of providing clear answers on the source of his wealth, he appears to be ignoring the storm, which only fuels speculation.
For a leader already entangled in financial scandals, his new residence stands as a visible reminder of mistrust, and unless he comes clean, his political career risks being remembered not for service, but for excess and suspicion.
