Uasin Gishu Parents, Students In Scholarship Fiasco Suspend Planned Demos Ahead Of Ruto's Visit

• President William Ruto is currently in Uasin Gishu county to officiate over the opening of the 10th Devolution Conference 2023
• The aggrieved Uasin Gishu parents and students were to stage demonstrations outside the conference hall at the Eldoret Sports Club
• Eldoret-based human rights activist Kimutai Kirui, one of the conveners of the demonstrations called for a refund of the scholarship monies

Uasin Gishu - Parents and students of the botched Finland/Canada scholarship programme have called off their planned demonstrations scheduled for Tuesday, August 15, and Wednesday, August 16, saying they have done so out of respect for President William Ruto.

Ruto is currently in the county perceived to be his political bastion to officiate over the opening of the 10th Devolution Conference 2023.

Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, human rights activist Kimutai Kirui, one of the conveners of the demonstrations. called for a refund of the money.

Why Uasin Gishu parents suspended demos

The aggrieved parents and students were to stage demonstrations outside the conference hall at the Eldoret Sports Club.

"We ceased demos not because of Governor Jonathan Bii, or Senator Jackson Mandago, or the devolution conference but on certain fundamental grounds. One is the president," Kirui said.

According to Kirui, the Opposition Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party can't be putting pressure on the president in Nairobi, and them at home demonstrate against him as well.

"Second, the county security apparatus obeyed the law during the two demos. The police gave us escort and coverage throughout. We couldn't pressure them, by providing security to delegates/visitors, and running battles with us," Kirui added.

Kirui also observed that the county leadership invited parents and student leadership.

"Both Bii and Mandago vowed and promised a full refund. We give that space a chance to bear fruit. We look forward to meeting both leaders next week," he further said.

Kirui the director of the Eldoret-based Centre Against Torture reiterated that there will be no negotiation on the refund.

"We salute the police for being patriotic and law-abiding. We thank leaders as well for "accepting to sit down" with parents and students to facilitate a way out, possibly a refund. Refund is the language," Kirui explained.

What parents want Ruto to do

The students of the programme pleaded with the head of state to intervene and enable them to get a refund.

"We have time that we have given them for us also to settle down and seek a negotiation with every leader and we know that our president will listen to our pleas. All we want is a refund of the money that we paid to the overseas county education programme," said Benjamin Chebason, a student.

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that the county government of Uasin Gishu will host the devolution conference in Eldoret slated for August this year.

Its all systems go

The devolved unit allocated KSh 50 million towards the event and has also established a steering committee to spearhead the preparation.

TUKO.co.ke understands that over 10,000 participants are expected to attend the event which will run from 15 August to 19 August.

However, the event lay in limbo after angry parents and students of the botched Finland/Canada education programme threatened to him disrupt it.