Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago has finally come out and responded to some of the issues that have been raised over the ongoing Canada and Finland overseas program.
Mandago initiated the program in 2019 when serving as the Governor.
The program has however faced controversies, with a section of parents demanding a refund of money already paid – after delays in their children flying out.
Addressing a media briefing in Eldoret on Friday, July 14, 2023, Mandago insisted that the program was meant to benefit the youth.
He further insisted that it was not a scholarship as it had widely been painted.
“This program is NOT a scholarship, but it was tailor-made to assist students who were willing to take up the opportunities by paying the required fees and other levies associated with the program,” Mandago said.
“The total cost of the program was to be fully covered by the parent/student/guardian,” he added.
Trust fund
But according to the former governor, the county was fully involved in the initiative, with some of the staff appointed signatories of the account that collected money from parents.
He further noted that the Trust Fund was set up based on the challenges other counties faced after they allowed parents to deposit money directly to the county accounts.
“Owing to the challenges faced by other Counties during payment of school fees by parents depositing the money to the County Government accounts, which was difficult to be utilized, this necessitated the registration of a TRUST FUND,” he said.
“The composition of Trust Fund management consists of staff from department Youth, Sports and Culture, and Revolving fund board members in line with the Uasin Gishu County Revolving Fund Act 2022,” Mandago added.
He was responding to a statement made by Governor Jonathan Bii earlier this week, who told journalists that the county had no control of the Trust Fund.
Money in account
During the media briefing at the county headquarters, Bii with his Deputy Eng John Barorot also said the account only had Ksh1.8 million, a figure Mandago has disputed.
He says when he handed over power in August, the account had at least Ksh104.7 million.
“When I handed over the government on 25th August 2022 the money in the account was kshs 104,729,329.06, (Trust account balance was kshs 37,529,329.06 and student individual accounts was kshs 67,200,000.00 for the purposes of bank statements),” Senator Mandago said.
But as a way forward on the issues facing the program, the Senator has asked his successor to convene a meeting that will seek to address the issues raised.
He further noted that as one of the leaders and initiator of the program, he will not run away from taking responsibility.
“I’m asking the governor to call for a meeting, invite the parents or their representatives then let’s have a meeting and resolve this problem,” Mandago said.
“I can’t allow a situation where parents are being tossed around. If the governor can’t convene a meeting I will do it myself. We cannot allow parents to suffer,” he added.
