Parents protest in Eldoret after Mandago acquittal in Finland scholarship scandal

Angry and heartbroken parents staged powerful protests in Eldoret on Wednesday after a court acquitted Uasin Gishu Sen. Jackson Mandago in the Sh1 billion Finland education scandal.

The crowd, made up of common mwananchi, poor farmers and emotional mothers, said they were betrayed after paying more than Sh1 million each for their children’s education abroad.

More than 350 families are affected. Many say they sold their ancestral land, took devastating loans, and emptied their life savings for a promised golden opportunity in Finland and Canada that never came.

On Tuesday, Nakuru Senior Principal Magistrate Alloyce Ndege dismissed the case, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove its case against Mandago and two others despite hearing 138 witnesses. The acquittal sparked outrage and profound pain.

“We are finished. We trusted the county government with everything. Now our children are stranded at home and we are drowning in debt,” said Shadrack Juma, who lost Sh1.2 million.

The protesters now demand a full and immediate refund from the Uasin Gishu County government and want Governor Jonathan Bii to take full responsibility.

They have vowed to storm county offices next Tuesday and have filed cases in small claims courts.

The victims are also calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to launch a fresh, powerful investigation and appealing to President William Ruto to intervene and deliver justice for their shattered dreams.