Police foil suspected scholarship scam involving Grade 10 students in Kisumu

Police in Kisumu have rescued 12 grade 10 students in Manyatta area who were found stranded after they fell victims to a suspected scholarship scam while attempting to report to Senior School.

Accompanied by their parents, the students were reportedly left stranded on Tuesday, at a boda boda shed in Manyatta, Kosawo area, after an individual who had promised them scholarships to St Albert Chiepe Secondary School in Homa Bay County failed to turn up.

Daniel Ogechi, Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Kondele Police Station, said the report was received from Manyatta A Sublocation Assistant Chief, Agnes Ogweno, who said the parents became suspicious after the suspect sent a matatu to pick the students without showing up in person.

"Parents sought help after waiting for a whole day without success and feared for the safety of their children, " Ogechi said.

Upon visiting the scene, police officers found a group of nine girls and three boys aged between 15 and 17 years, waiting near Manyatta Primary School with their luggage, dressed in different school uniforms.

Officers also impounded a matatu and arrested both the driver and conductor to assist with the investigations.

The vehicle was detained at Kondele Police Station.

Further operations led to the arrest of the suspected organiser in Otonglo.

The Principal St Albert Chiepe Secondary School, Richard Oduor, was later contacted by the police, and he confirmed that the school runs a legitimate scholarship program.

 He pledged to work with the police to ensure the students report to school on Wednesday.

The incident comes at a time when many students across the country are yet to report to their respective learning institutions due to lack of school fees, confusion over placement and increased fraud cases, targeting desperate parents seeking school admission opportunities.

As investigation into the incident continues, police have warned parents to remain vigilant and always verify scholarship offers with schools and education offices before releasing their children.