My father sold land but we lost it all, man says in Finland saga trial

A student has testified on how his dream to pursue a Degree in Nursing at Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Finland was shuttered even after he had paid Sh918,000.

Enock Cheruiyot, who testified before Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege, said his father, Samuel Soi, sold their land to raise money for his fees, but he never got to go to Finland.

“In the end, we lost the family’s land and the Sh918,000. The cash has not been refunded,” he said.

Cheruiyot testified in the Sh1.1 billion Finland Education Programme scandal case facing Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and two other county officials, Meshack Rono and Joshua Lelei.

The three are charged with stealing, abuse of office and conspiracy to embezzle the fund deposited in the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Fund account.

“I was a student pursuing nursing in Nairobi. On September 24, 2021, I saw an advert from my county’s social handle advertising a scholarship in Finland, and I got interested,” Cheruiyot said.

Prosecutor Angeline Chinga asked Cheruiyot what he did after seeing the advert to which he responded by saying that he drafted an application and sent it to his father, who delivered it to the Department of Youth and Sports, which was heading the programme.

Cheruiyot said the interview and application for the course cost him Sh10,000.

“A text message was sent to me, saying I had been selected for the programme, and I was invited for the interview, which I did towards the end of 2021,” he said.

He said the interview was conducted by county officials and examiners from Finland and was later informed that he had passed.

He said he was also put through oral interviews a few days later, with at least 100 more students, when they were examined on confidence.

Later, Cheruiyot testified that they were called for a meeting, where Lelei informed them that the programme was not a scholarship and parents were supposed to pay school fees.

“The county government said they will only act as facilitators and guarantors for our stay in Finland,” said Cheruiyot.

He said it has been his dream to study abroad, and the Finland programme was a good opportunity. He consulted his parents who agreed to the plan.

The payment breakdown and the account details, he testified, were drafted on a piece of paper, to them. He paid Sh918,000 for his fees.

Coming from a poor background, Cheruiyot said, his father had to sell their land to beat the two weeks deadline for payment.

“On May 13, 2022, I paid Sh350,000 at KCB Bank, Eldoret East Branch. We pressured those who bought our land to conclude the payments, and on May 16, 2022, I deposited the remaining Sh568,000,” said Cheruiyot.

Since then, Cheruiyot said he has never received any communication over the matter. He said he has visited the county offices several times and all he has been told is to wait.

“I do not know what happened to the money I paid. I know other students went to Finland, but I did not,” he testified.

“What do you seek before this court,” asked Chinga. “I want justice,” he replied.

In cross-examination by lawyers Fidel Limo and Elijah Kibet, Cheruiyot said he trusted the programme and believed it was legitimate.

He said about 100 students went to Finland, but when he realized the programme was delayed, he decided to withdraw and seek a refund. However, he is yet to get back his money.

Mr Christopher Rotich, a former lecturer, said his son Ryan Kiprotich was also asked for the Sh918,000 as fees.

Rotich wanted to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing at Porvoo Campus under Laurea University.

He said apart from the Sh918,000, he also paid Sh100,000 for the flight, Sh49,000 for the Visa, Sh5,000 for the Covid-19 test, and Sh180,000 for accommodation. “I paid Sh1.258 million, but my son is still at home.” 

The hearing continues today. Chinga said they have lined up five more witnesses to testify.