Uasin Gishu Parents Demand Refunds in Finland and Canada Education Scandal, Call for President Ruto’s Intervention

   Over 300 parents from Uasin Gishu County are calling for urgent intervention from President William Ruto to resolve a long-standing education scandal involving the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Trust. These parents, who paid large sums of money for their children to pursue studies in Finland and Canada, are demanding refunds after their children were denied the opportunity to study abroad.
The scandal began in 2021, when parents deposited substantial amounts of money into a trust fund, believing it would secure their children’s education abroad. However, despite the large sums collected—amounting to over Ksh. 837 million between May 2021 and December 2022—the promised scholarships to Finland and Canada never materialized for many students.
Julius Rono, a parent from Ziwa, sold four and a half acres of land worth over four million shillings to pay for his children’s education abroad. “We paid our money in 2022, and to this day, our children have not gone to study. We are suffering, and no one is listening to us. It’s painful to see leaders living luxurious lives while we are struggling,” Rono said, his frustration evident.
He added that although former Governor Jackson Mandago was in charge when the payments were made, Governor Jonathan Bii has inherited the issue, and neither has addressed the parents’ concerns. “Where are we headed? We want our money back. Our children are still at home, and our lives have been ruined,” Rono continued.
Other parents, like Christopher Rotich, are also speaking out. “It’s heartbreaking that people who stole our money are now claiming we have been refunded. We are still waiting, and the leaders are silent. Eldoret has become a city of scams. Where is MP Oscar Sudi? Where is the government?” Rotich said.
Celina Cherono, whose child was supposed to study nursing in Finland, took out a loan of Ksh. 1.5 million to cover the fees. “I paid one million shillings for my child’s studies, and now, I am stuck with a bank loan that has ballooned to Ksh. 2.3 million. My child is sick and has been hospitalized for weeks,” she said. Cherono is now asking the county government to refund the money, as she continues to sell her property to meet financial obligations.
Noah Kemboi, another parent, emphasized the desperation of over 300 families who are now seeking redress. “We have been following this issue for three years. Now we are being tossed to court, and after winning cases, the accused appeal. We need action, not delays,” Kemboi said.
The Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Trust, which was supposed to manage the funds for the students’ tuition in Finland and Canada, opened a bank account in March 2021 with three officials—Joseph Maritim, Joshua Lelei, and Meshack Rono—named as signatories. Between May 2021 and December 2022, the account received a total of Ksh. 837,855,889 from parents. The funds were intended to cover the tuition and fees of students studying at various institutions abroad, but many parents claim that the money was never paid to the institutions, leaving their children stranded.
The parents are now appealing to President William Ruto to intervene and help recover their funds. “We are suffering. We took loans and sold our property to send our children abroad for a better future. We are asking President Ruto to address this issue and help us get our money back,” Celina Cherono pleaded.
In addition to appealing to the president, the parents are also calling for justice through the courts. “We want the Chief Justice, Martha Koome, to look into the courts in Eldoret. We have been following up on this for years, and the delays are affecting our lives,” said Kemboi.
As the New Year approaches, the parents are hopeful that President Ruto will address the matter in his New Year’s Eve speech, shedding light on the issue and offering a solution to the ongoing crisis. The parents’ collective plea is clear: they want their money refunded, and they want to see justice done for their children’s lost education opportunities.
With the education trust under scrutiny and the local leaders facing increasing pressure, many in Eldoret are watching closely to see whether the government will act to resolve what has become a painful chapter for over 300 families in the region.  Read More