Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago on Thursday stated that he presented himself to the police and was not arrested as reported even as prosecutors indicated that they would go for freeze of his assets and accounts in the case.
The Senator, who is a former governor, is accused of mismanaging Ksh1.1 billion in cash that was collected from parents to sponsor their children’s education in Finland and Canada.
Mandago has denied any wrongdoing and was released on Thursday on a Ksh500,000 bail, even as the prosecutor indicated they would go for his property and accounts to recover the billions.
“We will in due course make a formal application for the seizure of the accused person’s assets and the freezing of their bank accounts,” assistant prosecutor Hassan Abdi told the court.
“We want to make sure that if they are found guilty, the amount is recovered to compensate the affected families.”
The issue has elicited public debate with some students and parents coming out, narrating stories of how they were forced to sell their property hoping for better education overseas only for officials to squander the billions, leaving some students stranded.
Mandago has promised that he will respect the law and cooperate with investigative officers.
“As I have continued to state, I am a law-abiding citizen and a leader in this country. I began the Finland program with all good intentions,” he noted in a statement.
“And no matter what transpired, I have shown my commitment to finding a solution for the affected parents and their children.”
The Senator has been charged with conspiracy to commit a felony alongside two of his aides who were also released on bail.
A third suspect is yet to be arraigned in court as he is out of the country. According to detectives, Joseph Maritim fled the country at the height of the investigations.
He maintained that he was willing to address the concerns raised by the parents and students who have told tales of anguish after losing their hard-earned money. BY KENYANS.CO.KE