The case in which Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and two other former county officials are charged embezzling KSh1.1 billion in the Finland scholarship program saga continued on Monday, July 1.

The prosecution, led by Counsel Angeline Chinga, presented its first witness in the case against Senator Mandago, Meshack Rono and Joshua Kipkemboi Lelei, before Senior Principal Magistrate Alloys Ndege of Nakuru Law Courts.

The three accused persons are facing charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code that led to the loss of KSh1.1 billion from an account registered under the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund, meant for overseas university fees for students under the Uasin Gishu County Overseas Education Program.

The witness testified in court, explaining how he discovered his appointment as a member of a six-person board of trustees, which had been established without his prior knowledge or consent.

The witness (Joel Chelule who chaired the Uasin Gishu County Education Revolving Fund) further stated that attempts to obtain the registration details of the trust and information regarding its operations were obstructed, as they were denied access to the relevant documents.

While questioning the legality of the trustee, Chelule denied being the chairperson of the oversees education fund trustee, which was allegedly formed in 2021 to oversee the Finland Education Programme.

Chelule told the court that he was only informed in September 2022 by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education Joseph Kurgat that he was part of the trustee.

“The CECM said a petition had been brought by parents who were dissatisfied because some of their children did not make it to Finland,” testified Chelule.

It was at this point, Chelule told the court, that he was instructed to meet other trustees (Meshack Rono, Susan Keino, Joseph Maritim, Joel Ruto and Loice Chelimo) and respond to the concerns raised by the parents.

“I was told that it was only the six of us who could respond. We met on October 3, 2022,” he testified. “We also learnt there was a overseas fund bank account as KCB Eldoret East branch. We requested bank statements, but we have not been given to date.”

According to Chelule, he received no appointment letter, there were zero management meetings and therefore proving his argument that he was never a board of trustee.

Maritim, the former chief officer of Youth and Sports, was to be charged alongside Mandago and his co-accused person, but he fled the country.

When they were first arraigned in court, the 3 accused persons denied all the 10 counts against them, including conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code, stealing contrary to Section 268(1) as read with Section 275 of the Penal Code, Cap 63 laws of Kenya, Abuse of office contrary to Section 101 as read with Section 102(a) of the Penal Code, Cap 63 laws of Kenya, and forgery contrary to Section 345 and 347 (ii) as read with Section 349 of the Penal Code, Cap 63 laws of Kenya.

The case is scheduled to proceed this week through Thursday.