Kenyan activist and educationist Mercy Tarus Jebet gained national attention in 2023 after a video of her confronting Uasin Gishu leaders over the county’s overseas scholarship program went viral.
Mercy Tarus is a 27-year-old Kenyan activist and educationist is known for her advocacy on education and governance issues.
She rose to prominence in 2023 when she publicly challenged Uasin Gishu county leaders during a meeting attended by Governor Jonathan Bii, Deputy Governor John Barorot, and Senator Jackson Mandago.
The confrontation centered on the county’s overseas scholarship program, which had facilitated student placements in Finland and Canada. The program later became the subject of controversy after parents reported financial losses linked to the initiative.
In her remarks, Mercy Tarus questioned county leaders over the management of the program and the challenges faced by affected students and families.
A video of the exchange circulated widely on social media, drawing national attention to the issue.
The scholarship program became one of the most discussed county government controversies in Kenya, with concerns raised over funds contributed by parents who had taken loans in anticipation of their children’s studies abroad.
Educational Background Of Mercy Tarus
Mercy Tarus graduated from Kabarak University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, which qualified her as a teacher and educationist by profession.
She took a short course in hairdressing to boost her income after her parents lost money in the education scholarship scam, and she also sells porridge and mandazi on weekends to make ends meet.
She writes poems to raise awareness about mental health issues, though this is a creative pursuit rather than formal education.
Also Read: Mercy Tarus and Other Students Pen Moving Letter to Ruto
Mercy was originally set to enroll at Northern Lights College in Canada to pursue a two-year diploma in Social Service, but her flight was postponed multiple times and eventually canceled due to the billing scandal involving Uasin Gishu leaders.
Career Background
Mercy Tarus trained as a teacher after graduating from Kabarak University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, but she never secured formal teaching employment and instead volunteered at a local school for three months to make ends meet.
Her career took a dramatic turn in June 2023 when she went viral for confronting Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, Deputy John Barorot, and Senator Jackson Mandago over the Ksh 1.1 billion Finland education scholarship scam, which propelled her into the spotlight as a fearless activist fighting for parents’ and students’ rights.
After the scam, she turned to entrepreneurial hustles, selling porridge and mandazi on weekends, taking a hairdressing course to boost her income, and working as a hairstylist while also using her platform to write poems that raise mental health awareness, which she considers part of her identity as a mental health advocate.
Also Read: Mercy Tarus Rejects Job Offer, Sets Conditions
Mercy Tarus declined over five job offers, including one from Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, choosing to remain independent and continue her activism. She founded the NGO Kenya Ni Home Initiative, which focuses on fighting for citizens’ rights, educating needy secondary school children, and promoting education, agriculture, and entertainment. She also owns MEPA, a human rights and mental health advocacy platform.
Her activism expanded beyond the education scam to include participation in the 2024 Gen Z Finance Bill protests against the government, where she became a prominent agitator. She also served as the star witness in the ongoing court case against the Uasin Gishu leaders involved in the Finland scam, though she received a contempt-of-court warning for statements she made.
In October 2024, she launched her debut book titled “If Tomorrow Comes Without Me”, and she won the Uzalendo Award in 2023 for her courageous activism. She continues to fight corruption and advocate for access to education while remaining an independent citizen activist.
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