Court Acquits Senator Jackson Mandago in Ksh1.1 Billion Uasin Gishu Overseas Scholarship Case

Court Acquits Senator Jackson Mandago in Ksh1.1 Billion Uasin Gishu Overseas Scholarship Case

NAKURU, Kenya – Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago has been acquitted of charges linking him to the alleged mismanagement of billions of shillings collected under the controversial Uasin Gishu overseas scholarship programme, bringing a major chapter in one of Kenya’s most scrutinised education funding scandals to a close.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, July 23, the High Court in Nakuru found that the prosecution had failed to prove allegations that Mandago conspired to misappropriate funds collected from parents and students seeking educational opportunities abroad.

The decision marks a significant legal victory for the former Uasin Gishu governor, who has consistently maintained his innocence since investigations into the scholarship programme began.

Court Finds Insufficient Evidence

While delivering the judgment, the court held that the prosecution had not met the legal burden required to sustain a conviction against the senator.

The judge found that the evidence presented during the trial failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt that Mandago participated in a conspiracy to unlawfully divert or misappropriate funds associated with the programme.

As a result, the court dismissed the charges against him, effectively ending a legal battle that has attracted national attention for several years.

The case stemmed from allegations surrounding the management of the county government’s overseas education programme, which was launched during Mandago’s tenure as governor and was intended to help students from Uasin Gishu access higher education opportunities in countries such as Finland and Canada.

Mandago had been charged alongside other county officials over claims that money contributed by parents and guardians was mishandled, leaving hundreds of students stranded abroad.

Scholarship Programme Initially Hailed as Innovative

When introduced, the overseas scholarship initiative was widely celebrated as a transformative education programme designed to give students access to international academic opportunities and improve employment prospects.

The programme attracted significant interest from families across the county, many of whom viewed overseas education as a pathway to better career opportunities and economic advancement.

To participate, parents and guardians were required to contribute substantial amounts of money into a designated trust account.

In many cases, families reportedly raised funds through savings, loans, land sales and community contributions to secure places for their children in institutions abroad.

Some beneficiaries paid up to Ksh1 million in anticipation that the county-sponsored programme would facilitate tuition payments, accommodation arrangements and other educational expenses.

Parents Raised Alarm as Crisis Emerged

The programme came under intense scrutiny in September 2021 when students studying abroad and their families began reporting serious challenges.

Several beneficiaries in Finland reportedly faced threats of eviction after universities and accommodation providers complained of unpaid fees.

Parents also raised concerns over a lack of communication from programme administrators and county officials regarding the status of the funds.

As pressure mounted, affected families demanded answers after learning that the scholarship programme had encountered financial difficulties despite the significant amounts contributed by participants.

The controversy quickly evolved into a major public issue, prompting calls for investigations into the management of the funds.

EACC Probe Uncovered Financial Discrepancies

Subsequent investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) sought to establish how money collected under the programme had been utilised.

According to findings previously presented by investigators, parents and guardians contributed approximately Ksh957 million toward the scholarship initiative.

The commission alleged that only about Ksh257 million had been spent on tuition fees and other student-related expenses.

Investigators further claimed that roughly Ksh700 million could not be fully accounted for, raising concerns over possible financial impropriety and prompting legal action against individuals linked to the programme.

The allegations sparked outrage among affected families, many of whom accused officials of failing to protect the interests of students who had entrusted their futures to the initiative.

Political and Public Significance

Mandago’s acquittal is likely to reignite debate surrounding accountability in public education programmes and the challenges faced by students who were affected by the collapse of the overseas scholarship scheme.

While the court has cleared the senator of criminal responsibility in the conspiracy charges brought against him, questions surrounding the management of the programme and the recovery of funds remain a matter of public interest.

For hundreds of affected families, the case has become a symbol of the risks associated with large-scale public scholarship initiatives and the need for stronger oversight mechanisms.

The ruling now shifts attention to the remaining legal and administrative processes surrounding the programme, even as Mandago walks away from one of the most high-profile cases of his political career.

With the court finding that the prosecution failed to meet the required threshold for conviction, the senator’s acquittal closes a significant chapter in a saga that has dominated public discourse in Uasin Gishu County and beyond for years.

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Court Acquits Senator Jackson Mandago in Ksh1.1 Billion Uasin Gishu Overseas Scholarship Case