Some of the students affected by the Finland scam wailing on the streets of Eldoret./MATHEWS NDANYI
Some of the students affected by the Finland scam wailing on the streets of Eldoret./MATHEWS NDANYI
Parents and students who lost millions of shillings in the collapsed Sh1 billion Finland and Canada overseas education programme suffered another setback on Tuesday.
This is after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) declined to open fresh investigations into the scandal, saying the matter falls outside its mandate.
The aggrieved victims, who staged protests in Eldoret, had hoped the anti-graft agency would take up the case following last week's acquittal of Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and two co-accused.
Instead, EACC officials directed them to pursue legal redress through the courts if they were dissatisfied with the Nakuru court's decision.
Addressing the demonstrators outside the commission's North Rift regional office, Regional Manager Kuntai Ole Tingisha said the case had already been investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which has the mandate to handle such fraud cases.
"Although we usually receive such complaints, after analysing the matter, it was found to fall under the mandate of the DCI, where it was then referred," Tingisha said.
He said EACC would not reopen investigations, adding that those unhappy with the court's decision should seek appropriate legal remedies through the appellate process.
The explanation did little to calm the protesters, who questioned why no further action could be taken and demanded accountability over the lost funds.
Earlier, the parents and learners had also marched to the Uasin Gishu County headquarters seeking an audience with Governor Jonathan Bii, but found the offices closed.
The demonstrators briefly disrupted traffic along the busy Uganda Road as they carried placards demanding refunds and justice.
"It has been four years, and we are still suffering. All our leaders, including the President, who comes from this region, have not acted to assist us," said student representative Asenath Okerio.
She said the failed programme had shattered the dreams of many students, leaving them stranded at home alongside equally frustrated parents.
Parents' representative Shadrack Juma claimed some affected parents had died after falling into depression following the loss of their savings.
The protesters criticised last week's acquittal of Mandago and his two co-accused, saying it had not addressed their financial losses.
The Finland and Canada overseas education programme was initiated during Mandago's tenure as governor of Uasin Gishu County.
Hundreds of parents say they paid money through the county government in the hope of securing study opportunities for their children in Finland and Canada, but many students never travelled after the programme collapsed.
According to the victims, more than 350 parents paid into the programme but did not receive the promised study opportunities.
The protesters insisted that both Mandago and Governor Jonathan Bii should explain what happened to the money and ensure affected families are refunded.
The latest demonstrations came a day after Kalenjin elders and church leaders apologised to affected families and pledged to help resolve the long-running dispute within two months.
The leaders, led by Bishop Phillip Rono, Kalenjin Council of Elders chairman Edwin Chepsiror and Major (Rtd) John Seii, had appealed to parents and students to suspend the protests while they pursued mediation efforts.
"We apologise for what happened because we have been touched by the cries of those affected. We know it is very painful for them because they lost their hard-earned money," Bishop Rono said.
The elders said they had begun engaging victims, political leaders and other stakeholders in search of an amicable solution following the court's decision.
However, the victims rejected the appeal, insisting that mediation alone would not compensate them for their losses.
Governor Jonathan Bii has since expressed support for resolving the dispute through mediation.
Finland scam victims during protests in Eldoret./MATHEWS NDANYI
Finland scam victims during protests in Eldoret./MATHEWS NDANYI
Finland scam victims during protests in Eldoret./MATHEWS NDANYI
