Former Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Engineer John Barorot has revealed that KSh 8 million could not be traced in the Finland Education Saga.
Testifying on Tuesday September 24, 2024 before a Nakuru court in a case where Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and two others are facing abuse of office and conspiracy to steal Sh1.1 billion charges, Barorot told the court that the taskforce that he led to look into the issues around the program
was constituted following numerous complaints from parents.
The taskforce, he said was constituted by the current Governor Jonathan Bii to look into the program and problems around the same.
The Court heard that the taskforce engaged the various stakeholders.
Detailed work indicated that Ksh 8 million was not traced despite being paid by parents under the program.
Barorot who is among 202 witnesses lined up by Prosecution ,further revealed that over 400 students who had enrolled for the program did not travel overseas and that around 82 students were not placed in any of the Universities despite them paying for reasons unknown.
In the taskforce report, it recommended that there be a stop to the online studies to avert parents paying more.
The former Deputy Governor also informed the court that Taskforce found out that there was no well defined policy framework for the program.
That Canada and Finland put additional requirements for students on matters fees payment requiring a full pay of fee for full year before the students could travel, an issue that made parents raise concerns.
“The Program started well but with time it seemed to be tough for students paying fee, accommodation,” he told the Court.
According to Barorot, The Program was a modification of what was initiated in the Elgeyo Marakwet County and that it was started by the then Governor who is now Senator Uasin Gishu Jackson Mandago.
Once selected, the students were to pay into the trust fees that differed from one Program to another and the The Program was being run by Uasin Gishu Oversees Education Fund 6 Trustees.
The witness revealed that students selected were evaluated and in Cohort of 25 students would then make application of visas and all other requirements for travel after paying the fee for various programs. This after the passing of online Pathway studies.
To affirm the authenticity of the Program, the taskforce found out that Letters of scholarship and certificates of MoU between County and the Universities were issued.
“In Finland the students went as a cohort but in Canada they went as individuals.
A total 823 were in the Program….61 were in Canada, 323 in Finland. The current county government continued with the program as it was a legal entity,” Barorot told Court.
He added that the Program was a success as the numbers grew very fast despite the administrative challenges faced.
The earlier morning session saw a heated Court as County Government of Uasin Gishu sought to be enjoined in the matter.
However, Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege ruled that the court proceeds with hearing directing that the court shall make a ruling in a period of 14 days to determine whether the request can be granted or not.
The hearing of the matter continues on Wednesday September 25, 2024.
A total 202 witnesses have been lined up by Prosecution in the matter.
