DCI makes u-turn, fails to withdraw Sh1B Finland education scholarship case

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has failed to formally withdraw the Sh1 billion Finland education scholarship scandal case, allowing the proceedings to continue as scheduled.

The DCI had recommended the withdrawal of the case involving Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and county officials Joshua Lelei and Meshack Rono, but no official request was made during the latest court mention.

Nakuru Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Alloys Ndege ruled on Wednesday that the trial will proceed on December 2, as originally planned.

"The case will proceed from the week commencing on December 2. The prosecution should provide witnesses scheduled to testify," Magistrate Ndege said.

The three accused face charges of conspiracy to misappropriate funds intended for the Uasin Gishu County Overseas Education Scholarship Programme, which was designed to support students studying in Finland and Canada.

So far, 30 of the 202 prosecution witnesses have already testified.

The DCI had sought to withdraw the case under Section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code to allow the accused to be charged afresh by the EACC.

In turn, the DPP has approved charges proposed by the EACC, which include conspiracy to commit an offence of economic crime, abuse of office, breach of trust, fraudulent acquisition of public property, and uttering false documents.

Although the DCI had expressed intentions to allow the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to take over the case, this shift was not formally communicated in court.

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago.

Turn around

In a letter dated September 25, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga approved new charges against Senator Mandago based on the DCI's recommendations.

DCI Deputy Director Paul Wachira explained that the EACC possesses original documents from Uasin Gishu County and crucial evidence from institutions in Finland and Canada, making their case stronger.

He noted that the DCI had not completed its investigations when the case was initially filed and lacked access to the original documents collected by the EACC.

Wachira further indicated that the DCI had not secured vital information regarding the number of students admitted to Canadian universities, including Thompson Rivers, Northern Lights College, and Sternberg College, nor the associated fees.

"The DCI was also yet to establish the amount of academic fees and other incidental costs paid by each of the students," he said.

Wachira also mentioned the need to identify agents who facilitated connections between the Uasin Gishu County government and universities in both Finland and Canada, noting, "Their evidence was critical to the case."

Pending investigations include determining the number of students admitted to Canadian universities and identifying agents who facilitated links between the Uasin Gishu County government and universities in both Finland and Canada.

The court ruled that it will continue to hear testimony from the remaining witnesses to establish the extent of the alleged misuse of funds intended for students' scholarships abroad.

Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Mulele Ingonga at a past event. (Handout)