According to a publication by Nation Africa, there was a case where a parent reportedly made a Sh200,000 profit from the Uasin Gishu scholarship scandal. This report suggested that the parent benefited after receiving a refund that was slightly higher than what they had initially contributed, possibly due to currency exchange differences or early withdrawal.
However, this isolated case stands out as unusual because the larger picture shows that most parents suffered major losses rather than profits.
The scandal, which broke out in 2023, involved a program set up by the Uasin Gishu County government to send students to study in Finland and Canada.
Parents were asked to pay large sums of money, with the hope that their children would receive quality education abroad. In total, more than Sh837 million was collected from over 800 parents.
A screenshot from Nation Africa.
Unfortunately, many students faced deportation threats due to unpaid fees, even though their parents had paid in full. This revealed deep mismanagement and suspected fraud within the county’s education program.
Most parents lost money and have nothing to show for their sacrifice. Some sold land, others took bank loans, while many gave up their life savings to raise the required amounts.
Research shows that only Sh68 million has been refunded to 121 parents who chose to exit the program. The county still owes parents over Sh100 million. Clearly, the idea that parents profited does not hold when you look at the bigger picture.
Investigations by various media houses and oversight bodies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission have shown that the real profits were made by county officials and trustees.
A brief revelation from Nation Africa of how parents lost millions through fraudulent means.
Individuals such as Meshack Rono, Joseph Maritim, and Joshua Lelei allegedly withdrew millions from the account meant for the scholarship program.
Rono reportedly took Sh18.3 million, Maritim Sh14.4 million, and Lelei Sh5.6 million. These withdrawals were not explained clearly, raising serious questions about fraud.
So while Nation Africa mentioned that one parent made a Sh200,000 gain, all other available evidence shows that parents were the main victims in this scandal.
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago when he appeared before the Nakuru Law Courts on August 17, 2023. Photo credit: Nation Media Group
Most were left in financial distress, some students returned home without completing their education, and the trust between the public and the county government was badly damaged.
What should have been a noble program turned into a painful lesson in corruption and betrayal for hundreds of families.
