The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Tuesday, August 22 demanded for justice for the victims of Uasin Gishu’s scholarships scandal.
In a press statement, ODM also demanded for Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago to be held accountable for allegedly soliciting KSh1.1 billion from parents under the pretense of securing scholarships for their children in Finland and Canada.
“In a shocking revelation that has sent horror shockwaves throughout the nation, former Governor of Uasin Gishu County, now Senator, Jackson Mandago stands accused of perpetrating an elaborate student airlift scam, duping indigent parents of KSh1.1 Billion under the pretense of securing scholarships for their children in Finland and Canada,” read part of the ODM statement.
The party pointed out that the Uasin Gishu scholarships saga was not an isolated case but a reflection of a broader trend within the Kenya Kwanza political circle.
“The Uasin Gishu student airlift scam is a grave violation of the public trust. We believe that this heinous act is not an anomaly, but rather indicative of a disturbing pattern of corruption and exploitation by Kenya Kwanza honchos,” stated ODM.
Victims demand for justice
The Uasin Gishu student airlift scam was exposed after parents and their children, hopeful for better educational opportunities, were met with shattered dreams and financial ruin.
Mercy Tarus, one of the victims, became famous after coming out boldly to criticize Senator Mandago and other county leaders involved in the scholarships scam.
She courageously expressed the anguish and devastation felt by the families who had invested their trust and resources in a promise of a brighter future for their children.
“Our parents scraped together every shilling we had to provide us with an education abroad, only to find out that we were victims of a calculated fraud,” lamented Mercy Tarus.
Jackson Mandago arrested
Mandago was arrested in Eldoret on August 16, over alleged involvement in the KSh1.1 billion Finland and Canada scholarship scandal.
He was then taken to the Nakuru Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) office where he recorded a statement.
The Uasin Gishu Senator was presented at the Nakuru Law court on August 17 but was set free together with two other accused persons.
They were released on KSh2 million bond or an alternative KSh500,000 cash bail.
