Parents in the Finland education scholarship fiasco are high with expectations that President William Ruto will address their grievances during the devolution conference in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
The parents through their leader Edward Kiptek had vowed to hold protests to coincide with the devolution conference but later called off the demos.
They held that it was out of their respect for the president as they hoped he will speak on their plight during the conference.
“It’s just because of the President that we have decided to call off the demos otherwise our demands still stand”, said Kiptek.
Ruto will be in Eldoret to open the five-day 2023 Devolution Conference guided by the theme: “10 years of devolution: The present and the future.” And will launch the congress aimed at touching all areas of the economy where an estimated 10, 000 delegates are expected to attend.
The parents have been protesting demanding a refund of more than Ksh 300 million they paid through the county for their children to study in Finland and Canada.
The parents had also held a meeting with Uasin Gishu county leaders including Governor Jonathan Bii and Senator Jackson Mandago.
Human rights activist Kimutai Kirui who has been helping the parents to push for a refund said they had agreed with the leaders not to interfere with the conference and give dialogue a chance.
“The leaders have agreed with the parents that the money will be refunded and we have agreed to give them until next week to do so failure to which we will resume our protests”, said Kirui.
Kirui and Kiptek said they had petitioned President Ruto to intervene and ensure they are refunded the money.
Janet Jepkoech, one of the affected students said they had suffered a lot following the loss of the money and they want the President to personally take up the matter.
“We are asking our President to come to our rescue because he is now our only hope,” said Jepkoech.
By Vostine Ratemo
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