All Uasin Gishu County officials involved in the management of the Finland Program Oversees account have been suspended.
The decision to suspend the officials was reached at following a cabinet meeting chaired by Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
In a cabinet communiqué, Governor Bii said after looking at a report by the Uasin Gishu County Assembly ad-hoc committee, it was agreed that the officials be suspended pending the conclusion of investigations.
The cabinet further resolved that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) be invited to carry out a forensic audit of the Uasin Gishu County Government Overseas Trust Fund account held at the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Eldoret.
The account was opened to receive all fees from parents that have students in Finland for studies.
Questionable withdrawals
However, a report by the assembly ad-hoc committee revealed that there were multiple questionable withdrawals from the account.
“EACC will finalize forensic audit within 30 days and any official found culpable will face the full force of the law,” read part of the cabinet communiqué.
The report adopted by the MCAs recommended the suspension of officials that were signatories of the account. The officials are Joel Ruto, director, of Uasin Gishu County Education Revolving Fund and Trustee and his deputy Meshack Rono.
Further, the MCAs recommended that the County Attorney steps aside for failing to provide necessary legal advice to the county. However, it is unclear whether the County Attorney is among those suspended.
Aside from suspending the officials, the Uasin Gishu Cabinet has also resolved to halt all new applications for the overseas program.
Students already in the program will however be allowed to proceed to Finland and Canada for their studies.
Pay fees
Meanwhile, Governor Bii has asked parents with students in Finland to plan to pay fees within the agreed period.
This is even as he urged the Finnish institutions to allow parents to pay fees directly.
“I urge Finland universities to consider allowing parents to pay fees directly as is the practice all over the world and not to engage third parties,” the county boss said.
The latest decision comes at a time there have been fears some of the student’s risk being deported for failing to keep their end of the bargain in payment of fees.
