The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recommended prosecution of former Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago over the botched academic airlift program.
In a gazette notice dated Friday, December 8, EACC said it started inquiry into allegation of corruption and embezzlement of funds amounting to KSh.50,000,000 by Mandago and other Uasin Gishu county government officials who were in charge of the program meant to fully sponsor students to further their studies in Finland between 2021 and 2022.
“Investigations commenced following a complaint received by the Commission (EACC) on 24th October 2022 that the former Governor of Uasin Gishu and other County officials abused office and accumulated unexplained wealth through operation of a student overseas account,” read the notice in parts.
Further, the Commission said the money in the overseas account was deposited by parents who were desirous of having their children study in Finland.
According to EACC, Mandago was introduced to overseas education opportunities by Cornelius Kiplagat, director Max Global, in 2019.
Kiplagat also introduced him to Tampere University officials.
After deliberations, the two teams (the team comprising of former Governor of Uasin Gishu and other County Officials as well as the officials of Tampere University of Applied Sciences) signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to foster cooperation in education and cultural activities.
Subsequently, Chief Officer for Youth Affairs Gender and Sports formed a secretariat to facilitate the registration of the trust to run the overseas education programme.
“Evidence further established that bank accounts for Uasin Gishu County Overseas education were opened. Account opening forms as well as signatures of the account signatories were forgeries,” said EACC.
Advertisement & Funds
Thereafter, the County advertised scholarships where the applicants were required to pay Ksh.9,000 examination fees to allow them to undertake entry exams.
Afterwards, the parents of successful applicants were advised to pay varied amounts depending on the applicants’ courses.
Cumulatively, the parents deposited KSh.1,151,586,973.11.
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“Investigations reveal that KSh.284,436,114.00 was paid to Universities in Finland and Canada; KSh.315,996,146.35 was paid to foreign agencies while KSh.50,713,939.50 was paid to local agencies,” revealed EACC.
Further, the Commission said bank charges and student visas cost KSh.308,923,702.85 and KSh.74,264,489.00 was withdrawn in cash.
Also, investigations revealed that Chief Officer for Youth Affairs Gender and Sports as well as Deputy Director, County Education Revolving Funds, Youth Affairs and Sports Department conspired to swindle the funds as the money withdrawn by them was not put to the intended use.
Mandago & Other Suspects Counts
On September 25, 2023, a report was compiled and forwarded to the DPP with recommendations to charge Mandago and other County officials with five counts.
To begin with, the officials faced two counts of Conspiracy to commit an offence of economic crime contrary to section 47 A (3) ACECA.
Also, were accused of one count of breach of trust contrary to section 127 of the Penal Code and five counts of abuse of office contrary to section 46, ACECA.
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“Two counts of unlawful acquisition of public property contrary to Section 45 (1) (a) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, “read the notice.
Furthermore, they were to face one count of fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to section 45 (1) (a) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act
They also face eleven counts of uttering a false document contrary to section 353 as read with section 349 of the Penal Code.
Consequently, the DPP returned the inquiry file accepting the Commission’s recommendation for prosecution on November 16, 2023.
