Bii, Mandago in crisis meet over Finland learning scam as DCI probes

 

Governor Jonathan Bii and his predecessor Senator Jackson Mandago have held a crisis meeting to resolve the row over the Finland and Canada  education scam.

More than 300 parents are demanding their money back.

They met several other county leaders,  including Deputy Governor John Barorot, MPs and MCA in Eldoret,Uasin Gishu.

The leaders declined to address journalists after the meeting but sources said they would do so later later in the week  meeting with the affected parents

Mandago and Bii have even at loggerheads over the scam, which Mandago had described as an educational  and jobs opportunity. It was not clear whether he was scammed as well.

Bii had challenged Mandago to come out and explain what happened to the programme which the senator initiated when he served as governor.

Bii had disanced himself from the scam, saying the account in which the parents deposited money only contained Sh1.8 million and a deficit of Sh84 million.

Mandago, however, said he handed over to Bii and there was with more than Sh104 million in the bank account for the overseas education programme.

The parents have been protesting after their children missed out on the programme, despite paying huge sums of money through the county.

Mandago and Bii left hurriedly along with all other leaders, refusing to speak on the matter. 

Ainabkoi MP Samwel Chepkonga told journalists they also discussed the forthcoming devolution conference to be held between August 15 and 19in Eldoret.

"What we discussed mot was the devolution conference and how we will make it to be very successful,"Chepkonga said.

The parents who are victims of the scam last week recorded statements at the DCI headquarters in Eldoret.

A team of DCI officers from Nairobi camped at the Eldoret police station to record the statements.

The parents led by Edward Kiptek said they had handed over bank slips, account numbers where they deposited the money, letters of acceptance from universities in Finland and other items.

"We are ready to work with the DCI to investigate this matter and ensure justice is done to all those who lost money," Kiptek said.

The parents deposited the money with the county but their children failed to travel to Finland and Canada for studies under the overseas education programme that was coordinated by the county.

Both Bii and Mandago are also expected to record statements on the matter along with top county officials who were involved.

The parents say they have demanded a refund of the  cash because they are no longer interested in the programme.   BY THE STAR