President William Ruto has assured parents and students in the controversial Uasin Gishu Finland and Canada Overseas Program that the government will find a way of helping them.
Addressing locals in Eldoret town on his way to opening the 8th Devolution Conference at the Eldoret Sports Club, Ruto hinted at the possibility of the students that failed to fly out of the country being considered for government scholarships.
“Hapo mbele, wakati uchunguzi itamalizika, mimi nitaone vile tunaweza kusaidia wale watoto wamehusika na hii mambo kwa sababu ni watoto wetu na hawana hatia…,” the President told hundreds of locals that turned up to welcome him.
“Tutawapanga vile tunsweza kuwapatia scholarship ya nyumbani hapa ndio wamende wasome,” he added.
But even as the Head of State promised to help the affected students, he insisted that all that embezzled their money must be ready to refund.
“Kama kuna mtu alikula hiyo pesa, ajipange kulipa mapema ama ataingia taabani. Pesa ya ng’ombe ya mtu, ama aliuza shamba, lazima arudishiwe pesa yake,” Ruto said.
“Siwezi kubali hiyo story, kwanza wanatuletea aibu,” he added.
Mandago arrested
Parents have since been demanding a refund of their money after students failed to travel out of the country, despite making payments.
A probe into the utilization of the funds was launched a few months ago after an uproar from the parents.
The DPP has since directed the prosecution of Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and three other county officials.
Mandago who initiated the controversial program as well as the county officials are expected to be charged with conspiracy to steal Ksh1.1 billion – funds parents had paid for the overseas program.
He was arrested on Wednesday after a Nakuru court issued a warrant of arrest against him.
Court documents indicate that there are at least 179 complainants in the case.
