Governor Bii Hands Finland Scholarship Saga to Elders Amid Escalating Tensions

Governor Bii Hands Finland Scholarship Saga to Elders Amid Escalating Tensions

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has announced that the long-running Finland and Canada overseas scholarship saga has now been placed under the stewardship of community elders and church leaders in a fresh attempt to calm tensions that have gripped the county for years.

The governor made the announcement on Sunday, August 2, while addressing congregants during a church service at ACK St. Stephen’s Chepkoilel in Uasin Gishu County. The service was attended by President William Ruto, senior government officials, religious leaders and local residents.

Speaking during the service, Governor Bii said the county administration had resolved to involve respected community leaders in pursuing reconciliation and restoring public confidence after years of controversy surrounding the failed overseas education programme.

“The issue involving the Finland scholarship is one that has troubled this country for such a long time,” Bii said.

He added, “Now that the matter has been handed over to the community elders in the county, as well as the bishops, we do not want to hear any issues surrounding that matter ever again in this county.”

The governor’s remarks signal a shift from political engagement to community-based mediation, with elders and bishops expected to spearhead dialogue between affected families, local leaders and relevant authorities in an effort to ease divisions and find a lasting solution.

The decision effectively places responsibility on respected village elders and church leaders to engage residents across Uasin Gishu, particularly parents, students and youth who were directly affected by the controversial scholarship programme.

In many Kenyan communities, elders and religious leaders have traditionally played an important role in resolving disputes, facilitating negotiations and rebuilding trust during periods of heightened tension. County leaders now hope the same approach can help restore unity after years of public anger over the scholarship programme.

The Finland scholarship saga has remained one of the most controversial issues in Uasin Gishu politics after hundreds of families paid millions of shillings under the county’s Overseas Education Programme with the expectation that their children would study in universities in Finland and Canada.

More than 300 parents reportedly contributed funds under the programme, only for many students to remain stranded after the initiative encountered financial and administrative challenges.

The matter has generated widespread public outrage, with affected parents repeatedly demanding refunds and accountability from county officials.

The governor’s announcement comes barely a week after the Nakuru Law Courts acquitted former Uasin Gishu Governor and current Senator Jackson Mandago in the Ksh1.1 billion scholarship case, bringing one chapter of the legal battle to a close.

Despite the court’s decision, the acquittal has done little to ease frustrations among many affected families, who insist that the primary concern remains recovering the money they paid into the programme.

Days before Governor Bii’s announcement, Kalenjin elders and church leaders publicly apologised to parents and learners affected by the failed programme, promising to work toward resolving the matter within two months.

However, some families remain unconvinced.

Several parents and students have continued staging demonstrations outside the governor’s office in Eldoret, demanding immediate compensation rather than prolonged mediation efforts.

“We want our money back, not more promises,” has been the consistent message from many affected parents during previous demonstrations, reflecting continued frustration over delays in resolving the issue.

The scholarship saga has also exposed political divisions within the Kenya Kwanza leadership in Uasin Gishu.

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has repeatedly criticised Senator Mandago despite his acquittal, arguing that greater attention should be directed toward compensating affected families.

Sudi has previously urged leaders to set aside political differences and instead mobilise resources to assist parents whose children missed opportunities to pursue higher education abroad.

Governor Bii, however, appeared keen to steer the discussion away from political confrontation, emphasizing dialogue and community healing as the preferred path forward.

Whether the intervention by elders and church leaders will satisfy affected families remains uncertain, particularly as many continue demanding concrete financial solutions rather than reconciliation alone.

For now, county leaders hope that the involvement of trusted community figures will reduce tensions and open a new chapter toward resolving one of the most contentious issues in Uasin Gishu’s recent history.

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Governor Bii Hands Finland Scholarship Saga to Elders Amid Escalating Tensions