Parents and learners during the protests in Eldoret on July 28, 2026./MATHEWS NDANYI
Parents and learners affected by the Sh1 billion Finland education fiasco staged protests in Eldoret on Monday, demanding a refund of their money.
The protesters stormed the Uasin Gishu County headquarters seeking an audience with Governor Jonathan Bii over the scandal.
Affected learners wailing on the streets of Eldoret./MATHEWS NDANYI
The parents and learners carried placards demanding that the county leadership ensure they are refunded.
Parents and learners during the protests in Eldoret on July 28, 2026./MATHEWS NDANYI
The protests come a day after Kalenjin elders and church leaders in Uasin Gishu apologised to families affected by the Sh1 billion Finland and Canada overseas education programme and pledged to help resolve the long-running dispute within two months.
Affected parent crying on the street in Eldoret./MATHEWS NDANYI
The leaders also appealed to parents and students to suspend the demonstrations, but the victims rejected the plea.
Parents and learners during the protests in Eldoret on July 28, 2026./MATHEWS NDANYI
The appeal came amid growing anger from hundreds of victims, many of whom expressed frustration after the Nakuru court cleared the three accused, saying the prosecution had failed to prove its case.
Parents and learners during the protests in Eldoret on July 28, 2026./MATHEWS NDANYI
Parents and learners during the protests in Eldoret on July 28, 2026./MATHEWS NDANYI
More than 300 parents paid money to the Uasin Gishu County Government under the overseas education programme, hoping to secure study opportunities for their children in Finland and Canada. However, many students never travelled after the programme collapsed.
Parents and learners during the protests in Eldoret on July 28, 2026./MATHEWS NDANYI
Parents and learners during the protests in Eldoret on July 28, 2026./MATHEWS NDANYI
At a meeting in Eldoret, church leaders led by Bishop Phillip Rono and Kalenjin Council of Elders chairman Edwin Chepsiror, alongside Major (Rtd) John Seii, resolved to engage victims, political leaders and other stakeholders in search of a lasting solution.
"We apologise for what happened because we have been touched by the cries of those affected. We know it is very painful for them because they lost their hard-earned money," Bishop Rono said.
Rono urged residents to maintain peace, warning that street protests could disrupt normal activities in Eldoret.
Major (Rtd) Seii said the elders had taken up the matter and were committed to helping the affected families find a solution.
"Let the affected families have confidence in us because, as elders and church leaders, we will ensure we get a solution that will please everyone," Seii said.
The intervention follows protests staged by parents and students shortly after the acquittal, with victims vowing to intensify pressure on the county government to refund their money.
Parents, led by Shadrack Juma, and affected students, led by Asenath Okerio, said the court's decision had not resolved their financial losses and urged Governor Jonathan Bii to ensure they were refunded.
