Senator Jackson Mandago
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim has broken his silence following the acquittal of Senator Jackson Mandago in the Sh1.1 billion overseas scholarship case, raising sharp questions over accountability and the fate of families who lost money in the controversial programme.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 27, Bii said the county government respects the court’s decision but insisted that the ruling does not resolve the underlying concerns that have plagued the initiative since its collapse.
“The County Government of Uasin Gishu has taken note of, and respects, the ruling delivered by the Nakuru Law Courts regarding the Overseas Education Programme,” Bii said.
The governor was quick to distance the county administration from the programme, clarifying that it was not formally run under county structures and that funds collected from parents were not deposited in official county accounts.
“It is important to clarify that the Overseas Education Programme was not a County Government programme. Furthermore, the funds contributed by parents were not deposited into any County Government account,” he stated.
Despite the court clearing Mandago of criminal liability, Bii underscored the pain and financial loss suffered by parents who had hoped to secure overseas education opportunities for their children.
“The financial losses suffered by parents who sought overseas educational opportunities for their children remain a matter of great concern,” he said.
The governor raised a series of pressing questions that he said must now be addressed outside the courtroom, signaling a shift from legal battles to accountability and restitution.
“What becomes of the children whose parents lost their money?” he posed. “What responsibility rests with those who received or managed funds contributed by parents? Have any refunds been made, and if so, to whom and through which accounts?”
His remarks came hours after Mandago welcomed the court’s decision, maintaining that he had been innocent all along and that the ruling had vindicated him.
“I have always maintained that I am innocent. Today, the court has affirmed that position,” Mandago said, adding that he trusted the judicial process.
While defending the intention behind the programme, Mandago acknowledged the distress faced by affected families and called for a solution-focused approach moving forward.
“I sympathise with the parents and students who have faced challenges. Their concerns are valid and must be addressed,” he noted.
In response, Bii revealed that the county government is now exploring alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to help families recover their losses and find closure.
“I have directed the County Legal Team to explore the possibility of resolving this matter through the Alternative Justice System,” he said.
He added that elders, clergy, and local leaders would be involved in mediation efforts aimed at achieving a fair and lasting solution.
“The aim is to achieve a fair, amicable and lasting resolution,” Bii said