UASIN GISHU FINLAND SCHOLARSHIP SCANDAL: WITNESS REVEALS FUNDS DIVERTED FOR FURNITURE AND ALLOWANCES
In a Nakuru court hearing recently, Joel Ruto, the former Director of Education Revolving Fund in Uasin Gishu County, gave very vital testimony in the case involving alleged misappropriation of funds for the Finland scholarship programme. The case involves Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and two county officials: Meshack Rono and Joshua Lelei, facing charges of conspiracy to steal, stealing, and abuse of office.
Several issues were pinpointed in Ruto’s testimony. He exposed that Sh520,000 was withdrawn from controversial Finland scholarship funds and ostensibly used to buy expensive office furniture. The money had been withdrawn from the KCB’s Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Trust Account into which parents had deposited funds for the education of their children in Finland.
In examination-in-chief by prosecutor Angeline Chinga, Ruto conceded to other withdrawals from the account, which were for administrative purposes. For example, he admitted that Sh120,000 was withdrawn to cater for allowances for the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Fund Trustees after a meeting. These trustees, Ruto explained, were reimbursed for travelling expenses to and from the meeting from different parts of Kenya.
Ruto defended these expenses by explaining that there was no independent budget line provided for the administrative cost of this programme. He said the money was to assist pupils from poor backgrounds, adding that committees were formed at district and provincial levels to identify and assist needy students.
Under cross-examination by the defence lawyers, Ruto acknowledged the financial troubles of this programme, in particular, lack of adequate funds to meet administrative expenses and disbursing funds on time to support students studying abroad. He revealed that due to delays and financial constraints, funds meant for subsequent batches of students had to be diverted for supporting the initial group already studying at Tampere University in Finland. This, he claimed, was a redeployment that had to take place to avoid the impending layoff of these students.
His testimony highlighted challenges in financial mismanagement and logistical complexities in running such a mega educational program. It also brought out the pressure cooker-like situation county officials face while managing public finances in an effective and transparent manner.
As the hearing unfolds, it is expected that the court is to balance the evidence presented by Ruto and other witnesses against charges brought against the accused officials.
