MCAs Recommend Suspension of County Officials Involved In Finland Scholarship Program

An ad-hoc committee formed to probe the Uasin Gishu County Finland Scholarship program has recommended that senior county officials involved in the initiative be suspended pending the conclusion of investigations.

In a report tabled at the Uasin Gishu County Assembly on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the committee also wants the scholarship program to be stopped until appropriate policies have been drafted and passed.

Committee chairperson Gilbert Chepkonga while tabling the report noted that the process under which the program was initiated had many loopholes.

Among the county officials that the committee has recommended being suspended include the county attorney Stephen Lel.

“We recommend that the County Attorney steps aside pending investigations for failing to advise the county appropriately,” read part of the report.

The report also wants the County Attorney investigated by the Advcates Complaint Commision.

Other county employees that the committee wants to be suspended include former Youth Chief Officer  Joseph Maritim, Director of County Revolving Fund Joel Ruto and Meshack Rono, also an official of the county revolving fund.

External auditor

Further, the committee has called upon the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate dealings in regard to the Finland Scholarship program.

They also want the county executive to engage an external auditor to look into the accounts where funds for students travelling to Finland were being deposited.

The 15-member committee also wants the county to refund the money paid by students who are no longer interested in proceedings to Finland for further studies under the initiative.

“All other engagements be suspended until proper framework are formulated and passed,” reads another recommendation in the report.

A majority of members that contributed to the report called for its adoption and immediate implementation.

The ad-hoc committee drafted the report following a petition filed by a section of Uasin Gishu locals over the County Finland Scholarship program.

For the last three months, the committee held meetings that saw county officials and petitioners appear before it to shed more light on the matter.

Once approved, the report will be forwarded to the County Executive, led by Governor Jonathan Bii for consideration.