Another batch of Uasin Gishu youths headed to Finland for further studies was flagged off on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Eng. John Barorot presided over the flagging-off ceremony that was held at the county headquarters in Eldoret town.
Speaking during the ceremony attended by the students and parents as well as county officials, Eng. Barorot said despite an ongoing probe into the Finland program, the county cabinet had resolved that all students that had started the process of travelling to Finland will be allowed to proceed.
“All that have paid fees and are in different stages of securing visas will be allowed to proceed. We only stopped processing new applications,” said Eng. Barorot.
The 44 students will be joining LUT University to study different engineering courses.
Some of the courses include Energy, Environmental, Mechanical and Electrical engineering.
At the event, the students were issued air tickets, residence permits and visas.
Eng. Barorot further revealed that another batch of 104 students who have secured visas will also be heading to Finland soon.
He said some had experienced delays in visa processing but was quick to note that none of them had to do with the ongoing probe.
So far, data from the county indicate that there are 202 students from Uasin Gishu in various Finnish universities.
There have been concerns over the Finland Program after students faced deportation threats over failure to pay school fees.
But as the probe continues, the Uasin Gishu DG is asking parents to ensure they pay the required fee before the lapse of the period they have been allowed.
“From the county, we do not want any of our students to come back,” said the Deputy County boss.
Governor Jonathan Bii has already suspended top county officials that were involved in the management of the County Scholarship Account which has had questionable transactions.
Detectives from EACC were also invited to audit the account, with a report expected early in April 2023.
