Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has criticised Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago following his acquittal in the KSh1.1 billion Finland education scholarship case, claiming he had previously proposed a fundraiser to compensate affected families but that the idea was rejected.
In a statement, Sudi noted that parents had already lost their money after making payments into the programme.
He alleged that he had advised Mandago to organise a fundraising drive to reimburse the affected families, but the proposal was dismissed.
Oscar Sudi Faults Mandago After Acquittal in KSh1.1 Billion Finland Scholarship Case. Photo: Courtesy.
Sudi further argued that the money spent on legal fees during the lengthy court process could have compensated a significant number of the affected parents.
He maintained that while the case had dragged on, ordinary citizens had been denied justice, adding that he would continue to support the affected families in their quest for compensation.
His remarks came hours after a Nakuru court acquitted Mandago and his two co-accused after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a case against them.
Senior Principal Magistrate Alloyce Ndege ruled that the prosecution’s evidence did not meet the threshold required for the accused to be put on their defence.
He also observed that many of the prosecution witnesses were victims who had been led to believe that a one-time payment would fully cover their education costs, only to later incur additional fees.
Following the acquittal, Mandago said the ruling would allow him and other parties to pursue beneficiaries who received funding from the Trust using money that had been intended for other students.
He argued that some beneficiaries had gone on to build permanent homes, purchase vehicles and achieve opportunities they otherwise would not have had through the programme.
He called on those who benefited from the funds to refund the money to the Trust so that parents and students who were still suffering losses could be compensated.
