Parents whose children were to be facilitated to study in Canada under Uasin Gishu County’s Airlift Programme have said that they are no longer interested in the programme and instead want their money refunded.
Their demand comes amid ongoing investigations into alleged controversial scholarships to Finland’s institutions of higher learning.
More than 24 parents, whose children have stayed waiting for a year now after they paid school fees, lamented that they have received zero communication from county officials.
David Saina, an affected parent said that the county had advertised the opportunity for students to study and work abroad, and like many other parents, he advised his son to apply.
“We were given a short notice, and instructed to pay Ksh950,000 fees for various courses in various universities. Since August 2022, nothing has been done,” he said.
Governor Jonathan Bii had on March 9, called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to audit the Uasin Gishu County Overseas Trust Account held at KCB Bank to determine if officials mismanaged funds meant for the students as stated by a report endorsed by the County Assembly.
“We have heard claims that the money was used to pay deficits for students stranded in Finland and the money in the overseas account could have been exhausted,” Saina added.
Parents said that even after the county announced that EACC would audit the fee accounts deposited by parents, no information pertaining the investigations has been given to the public.
By Thuita Jaswant
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