Mandago offered land to repay Sh1.1bn to scam victims, court told

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago reportedly proposed selling his land to help repay funds lost in the Sh1.1 billion Finland and Canada education programme scandal.

Testifying before Nakuru Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege on Thursday, witness Asenath Okello said that when the initiative began to unravel, Mandago, alongside current Governor Jonathan Bii held a meeting with affected families.

According to Okello, both leaders addressed the gathering, and Mandago assured them that the money would be refunded.

"He gave us his word that we would be reimbursed," she told the court.

"The senator even stated that, if necessary, he would sell his land to ensure the victims were refunded," Okello told the court.

She was testifying in a case where Senator Mandago, along with Uasin Gishu officials Meshack Rono and Joshua Lelei, face charges of misappropriating the Sh1.1 billion meant for the overseas education programme.

However, Okello acknowledged that her payment to the overseas programme was not made during Mandago’s term as governor.

She told the court that her initial deposit of Sh650,000 was paid into the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Trust Fund account on November 1, 2022.

"I got my offer letter on 28 November 2022. Although I had applied for a Nursing degree, the offer was for a Bachelor of Arts," Okello testified. She added that she later paid an additional Sh122,000 on 17 January 2023.

She told the court that as the programme began to stall, confidence among participants waned. Eventually, on 10 July 2023, she submitted a formal request for a refund.

Benjamin Kibet, another witness, told the court that he had previously worked with Mandago at the Teachers Service Commission.

During a funeral, Mandago approached him about the overseas education programme.

"He said the programme would cost about Sh1.3 million, and my son Allan Kimutai was keen on studying engineering. I was then directed to Lelei," Kibet testified.

He added that on 28 October 2022, he took out a loan of Sh650,000 to support his son’s enrollment at Stenberg College in Canada, but the plan ultimately fell through.

"If Mandago agrees to pay what he owes us, I will be satisfied. I know him, and I believed the programme was genuine because he wanted to help residents advance their education," he said.

He added that the senator had the option of either refunding the money or taking his son to Canada.

Kibet maintained that the programme faced significant problems and argued that Mandago, as its initiator, must be held responsible.

During cross-examination, Kibet admitted that he did not pay the fees while Mandago was governor, nor did he deposit the money into Mandago’s personal account.

Lawyer Stephen Kibungei also questioned him about seeking a refund of Sh1.5 million despite only paying Sh650,000.

"I am claiming the amount I paid plus interest accrued at 10% per month," Kibet replied.

Former county administrator Elkana Cheruiyot, who testified as the 81st witness, said he lost confidence in the programme even before it began.

Cheruiyot explained that he was part of the team that encouraged residents to apply. His son, Elvis Kipkosgei, was accepted into the programme.

"I paid Sh950,000 on 3 November 2022 and another Sh122,000 on 7 November 2022. My son received an acceptance letter from Thompson Rivers University in Canada," he stated.

However, Cheruiyot said delays and political issues led him to withdraw just two days before the programme was set to start, on 26 February 2023.

He submitted a refund request on 24 February 2023 after receiving an email from the university indicating that full fees had not been paid.

Under cross-examination by lawyers Stephen Kibungei, Fidel Limo, and Elijah Kibet, Cheruiyot admitted he lacked the emails to support his claims.

He also confirmed that although he made payments during Governor Jonathan Bii’s tenure, he did not reference the governor in his statement.