Finland airlift plan had over Sh100m in bank, court told

A bank statement produced in court yesterday revealed that Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii inherited a balance of Sh128 million in the county's Overseas Education Trust Fund account.

The statement from Kenya Commercial Bank showed that by November 4, 2022, the money raised by parents to cater for the education of their children was still in the account. Pauline Nafula, a witness, produced the statement when testifying before Nakuru Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege.

She testified that she paid over Sh1 million for her daughter Sharon Nafula to study Physiotherapy at Laurea University in Finland. She testified in the case facing Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and current and former county officials Meshack Rono and Joshua Lelei.

They are charged with 10 counts of conspiracy to steal, stealing the money, abuse of office and forgery.

She, however, deposited the majority of her money after Mandago, the former governor, left office. “On August 29, 2022, I deposited Sh100,000, on September 14, 2022, I paid Sh300,000, on October 31, 2022, I deposited Sh160,000 and on November 4, 2022 I deposited Sh370,000,” she testified.

She, however, testified that her daughter did not go to Finland and blamed the former and current leadership.

When cross-examined by lawyers Stephen Kibungei and Elijah Kibet, Nafula said she obtained the bank statements after requesting for them through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Shadrack Omondi, a businessman, in his testimony, wondered why leaders of the current administration, led by Bii, have not been charged in the case. Omondi testified that he paid Sh1.277 million for his daughter Irene Angela to study in Finland.

According to Omondi, he paid all the money after Mandago left his office. He said he took time to pay, to ensure the programme was genuine.

“Apart from Sh9,000 I paid in March 2022, I deposited Sh1.277 million after Mandago had left the office,” he testified.

Omondi said he deposited Sh918,000 on August 26, 2022 at the education trust fund account and Sh359,000 on October 4, 2022.

“I paid a total of Sh1,277,000 and the only remaining amount was Sh5,000 for Covid-19 test, which I did not pay. I have not been refunded to date,” he said.

Asked whether he was surprised that the current governor had not been charged, Omondi said he blamed the new regime but the DCI decided who to charge. “I am surprised why the new governor is not charged in court,” he testified.

In the case, Mandago, Rono and Lelei are alleged to have embezzled money deposited by parents in the county’s trust fund account.

Witnesses said they were told to pay Sh918,000 fees for one academic year, Sh541,000 for Pathway studies, Sh49,000 for Visa, Sh180,000 for accommodation and Sh30,000 for Insurance.

The case continues today with four witnesses expected to testify.