Uasin Gishu Senator, Jackson Mandago, is set to be arrested following the approval by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to investigate corruption allegations related to a Sh.1.1 billion scholarship program in Finland.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) forwarded an inquiry file to the ODPP, implicating Senator Mandago and three other county officials in the embezzlement of funds earmarked for sending over 125 students to higher education in Canada and Finland.
Mandago, the former Uasin Gishu Governor, will be facing charges including conspiracy to commit economic crimes, abuse of office, breach of trust, fraudulent acquisition of public property, and uttering a false document, as per Section 353 of the Penal Code.
EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak confirmed the recommendation for charges, stating, “We have recommended him to be charged and have received the go-ahead from DPP because we found something about him.”
The accused, including Mandago, Joseph Maritim, Joshua Lelei, Meshack Rono, and Jacob Sisey, who is the Director of Skill Dove Ltd, are alleged to have misappropriated Sh.1.1 billion designated for the education initiative.
The EACC investigation into the scholarship program, initiated during Mandago’s tenure as governor, uncovered irregularities in the allocation of funds
The quarterly report released by the anti-graft body identified the Finland scholarship case among 39 cases investigated, with eight cases approved for prosecution out of the 43 forwarded by the commission.
The probe revealed that significant amounts, including Sh.284.4 million to universities in Finland and Canada, Sh.315.9 million to foreign agencies, and Sh.50.7 million to local agencies, were disbursed.
Additionally, Sh.308.9 million and Sh.74.2 million were withdrawn in cash.
Further findings disclosed that county officials, including Chief Officer for Youth Affairs Gender and Sports Joseph Maritim, Deputy Director County Education Revolving Funds Meshak Rono, Joshua Lelei, and Jacob Sisey, allegedly conspired to divert funds, as the withdrawn money was not utilized for its intended purpose.
EACC is now pursuing the arrest of Senator Mandago and the four-county officers to face charges.
Notably, Mandago had previously been arrested in August this year and appeared in the Nakuru Chief Magistrate Court in connection with the scholarship scandal.
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