Mercy Tarus is a 24-year-old lady, she is a hair stylist and a businesswoman, who sells porridge and mandazi on weekends.
Furthermore, she is a graduate from Kabarak University. After her studies she volunteered to serve at a local school for three months.
Afterwards she did a course in hairdressing. She has an interest in creating awareness on mental health, which she does through writing poems.
Mercy was supposed to join the Northern Lights College in Canada to pursue a two-year diploma course in Social Service, in December 20.
According to the bold lady, her parents took a Ksh.900,000 loan to pay for the program and her plan was to complete school and repay the money.
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Mercy Tarus an Airlift Scam victim
Mercy Tarus shot to the limelight after a video of her confronting Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, his deputy John Barorot, and Senator Jackson Mandago went viral.
She confronted the Uasin Gishu county leadership for taking advantage of poor parents and promising them scholarships abroad.
According to the revelations by parents and students, the county leadership pledged to offer them an airlift education programme in Finland.
Tarus told off Mandago, Bii and Barorot and accused them of being heartless, claiming that several parents and students had fallen into depression because of the fraud.
Furthermore, she called out the leaders for stealing from the parents while using the government as a scapegoat.
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“This is highway robbery in broad daylight, they are robbing us, and they are using the government to do it,” Mercy said.
Also, she clarified that she was not being rude, but it was an expression of frustration.
“I was not being rude; I just wanted accountability from the leaders we elected. I did not know it had reached that many people. I told them what was on my mind, and I knew it was enough,” she further narrated.
Mandago’s take
Additionally, Uasin Gishu Senator Mandago, who served as the governor when the programme was launched, said he was ready to face investigative agencies.
“I am open to any questions and have recorded statements with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) as well because I want nothing but the truth. People have suffered, and it is equally affecting me,” Senator Mandago said.
The sitting Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bill said that they will ensure the money is refunded to the parents.
