Finland education saga: Parents, students weep at meeting with Governor Bii, Mandago

Parents and students affected by the Finland education scam in Uasin Gishu county wept before Governor Jonathan Bii and Senator Jackson Mandago as they narrated their stories.

The two leaders had called a meeting but most of the parents and their children could not hold back their tears of pain.

Emotions ran high as some of the parents narrated how they sold their property or used retirement benefits to pay for their children to study in Finland.

"I paid Sh2.5 million for my two children to go to Finland but two years down the line we are all at home rendered poor and suffering from depression," one of the parents Edward Kiptek said.

Some of the learners who missed out on the programme wept as they accused some county leaders of openly lying to them.

They narrated how they had been tormented by the county askaris for being outspoken in demanding their rights.

"I am ready to die or be killed by the county askaris then you can send your child to come and read the eulogy at my funeral," one of the students said.

After a four-hour meeting, Bii and Mandago had few words to say, admitting that the problem was serious and the parents had to be refunded the money they paid.

"We have listened and we agree that there is nothing else you need but a refund," Bii said.

Mandago said he had initiated the programme in good faith but regretted that had he known it would run into problems.

Both Mandago and Bii told the parents to give them a week so that they come up with a way forward on the refunds.

More than 300 parents are demanding to be refunded more than 300 million.

Also, present at the meeting were Uasin Gishu county commissioner Dr Eddison Nyale and Deputy Governor John Barorot.