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DPP approves charges against Senator Jackson Mandago in Finland scholarship saga

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago.

By Abdimalik Hajir | Saturday, December 9, 2023

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago is set to face charges of corruption and embezzlement of funds in the Finland scholarship saga. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved the inquiry file forwarded by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for Mandago and three other senior officials of the county to be prosecuted.

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago is set to face charges of corruption and embezzlement of funds in the Finland scholarship saga. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved the inquiry file forwarded by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for Mandago and three other senior officials of the county to be prosecuted.

The former Uasin Gishu Governor, now Senator, will be charged with offenses including conspiracy to commit economic crime, abuse of office, breach of trust, fraudulent acquisition of public property, and uttering a false document, contrary to Section 353 of the Penal Code.

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Mandago, along with four other co-accused persons—Joseph Maritim, Joshua Lelei, Meshack Rono, and Jacob Sisey, the Director of Skill Dove Ltd—is accused of embezzling Sh1.1 billion meant for flying out more than 125 students for higher education to Canada and Finland.

“We have recommended him to be charged and have received the go-ahead from DPP because we found something about him,” said EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak.

EACC has been investigating the Sh1.1 billion scholarship program founded by the Uasin Gishu County government during Mandago’s era. The quarterly report published by the anti-graft body lists the Finland scholarship saga among the 39 cases investigated by the EACC, with 8 approved for prosecution out of the 43 forwarded by the commission.

Investigations by EACC revealed that Sh284.4 million was paid to universities in Finland and Canada, Sh315.9 million paid to foreign agencies, and Sh50.7 million paid to local agencies. Another Sh308.9 million and Sh74.2 million were, however, withdrawn in cash.

The investigations also found that Chief Officer for Youth Affairs Gender and Sports Joseph Maritim, as well as Deputy Director, County Education Revolving Funds Meshak Rono, Joshua Lelei, and Jacob Sisey, conspired to swindle the funds as the money they withdrew was not put to the intended use.

EACC is now seeking the arrest of Mandago and the four county officers to face charges. In August this year, Mandago was arrested and arraigned at the Nakuru Chief Magistrate Court in connection with the scholarship scam.