The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has ordered the arrest of Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and three others over the Finland and Canada Overseas Education Programme.
Senator Mandago and the three county officials will be charged with stealing and abuse of office.
On Wednesday, August 16, Senator Mandago downplayed the arrest warrant, saying he was available for questioning at any time.
“There are rumors all over Eldoret Town that the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Officers have been looking for me the whole night.
As a law-abiding citizen, I am available once summoned. I have met with the leadership of parents and agreed on the way forward as per their press statement issued last evening,” said Mandago through his official Twitter account.
Further, Mandago said he met with the leadership of parents demanding refunds and agreed on the way forward.
The Order by the DPP came after ongoing investigations into the alleged scholarship scandal which occurred during Mandago’s reign as Governor.
“There is a warrant of arrest in court. Either he presents himself at the DCI or we arrest him. There is nothing else we can say on the matter,” DCI Amin Mohamed said.
The other three officials are Joseph Kipkemoi, Maritim Meshak Rono and Joshua Kipkemoi Lelei.
Further, the four are accused of conspiring to steal over Ksh.837 million from an account at the Kenya Commercial Bank in Eldoret.
The account is registered under the name of the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund meant for overseas university fees for students under the Uasin Gishu County Overseas Education Programme.
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The Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund was opened in May 2021 and the county government collected money from parents to facilitate the education of their children in Finland and Canada.
Further, the officers handling the matter stated that they have not been able to reach the four officials.
Police trail Mandago
In a statement, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that the process of executing the DPP’s order is ongoing.
‘The National Police Service is in the process of executing a Warrant of Arrest against Uasin Gishu Senator Hon. Jackson Mandago, who has gone underground since yesterday, calls upon the Senator to present himself at the nearest police station,” said NPS.
Further NPS appealed to any member of public with information about Senator Mandago’s whereabout to report to the nearest police station or report via our toll-free numbers 999, 112, 911 and the fichua Kwa DCI 0800722203.
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Mandago Grilling
On August 10, Senator Mandago was summoned by the DCI to give his side of the story about the Scholarship Program.
“I have today recorded my statement at the DCI Kenya headquarters (Kiambu Road) on the Finland and Canada overseas education program,” said Mandago.
Also, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating Mandago. The Senator appeared before the anti-graft agency on August 1.
