Oscar Sudi Regrets Fundraising For Students To Study In Finland: "Pesa Yangu Ilikulwa"

• Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago was arrested in Eldoret town and thereafter transferred to Nakuru for questioning
• Mandago's arrest followed claims of graft in the Finland scholarship programme which affected more than 380 students
• Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi had earlier said those who may have diverted the money in question would be dealt with as per the law

Uasin Gishu - On Wednesday, August 16, Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago was arrested in connection to the KSh 1.1 billion Finland Scholarship Programme scandal.

Mandago was arrested in Eldoret and thereafter taken to Nakuru for questioning.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii earlier suspended the controversial overseas education programme, which was being coordinated by the county.

Why Jonathan Bii suspended the education programme

The move followed claims of graft in the programme which affected more than 380 students from the county.

Money collected from some students was to be paid to colleges in Finland as fees, but that did not happen.

Some of the students had been threatened with deportation.

In early March 2023, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi regretted being part of the people who fundraised for students to study in Finland.

"Na mimi nimechanga pesa mingi sana kwa hii mambo ya Finland na kumbe kuna wakora wanaikula. (I have contributed a lot of money towards this programme, unfortunately, some people have misappropriated these monies,)" Sudi said.

Speaking on March 8 in his constituency, Sudi said those who may have diverted the money in question would be dealt with as per the law.

"Na kama kuna mtu alikula pesa ya wazazi na wanafunzi hawa mimi siko na wewe. Tunataka tujue ukweli ndio hizo pesa zilipwe ama wakutane na sheria. (If there is anyone who might have stolen these monies then I'm not with them. We want to know the truth,)" he added.

What charges is Mandago facing

Sudi said they had agreed that they would ensure students who are already in Finland continue with their studies.

"As leaders, we will do everything possible to ensure learning for the students is not affected', said Sudi.

Already, Mandago spent the night in police custody ahead of his arraignment on Thursday, August 17.

The politician was detained after the court issued a warrant of arrest following his failure to show up in court to answer several charges of theft and abuse of office on Wednesday, August 16.

Mandago is accused of conspiring to commit a felony in contravention of Section 393 of the penal code alongside Meshack Rono, Joseph Kipkemboi Maritim and Joshua Kipkemboi on diverse dates in 2021.

Charge sheet details indicate that the four, on different dates between March 1, 2021 and September 12, 2021, while in Uasin Gishu county, with others not before the court, conspired to steal KSh 1.1 billion from an account at Kenya Commercial Bank Eldoret branch.

The politician is also set to face a charge of abuse of office contrary to section 101 as read with Section 102 (A) of the penal code, CAP 63 Laws of Kenya.