Drama as ex county staff testifies in overseas education scam case

Emotions ran high on Wednesday as former Baringo County Chief of Staff Edward Kiptek testified in the Sh1.1 billion overseas education programme case facing Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and two others.

The court in Nakuru was also treated to drama as Kiptet, the 100th witness, was asked how he was able to enroll her two daughters in the programme, despite not being a resident of Uasin Gishu.

Kiptet could not hide his tears as he testified that he enrolled her daughters, Ann Kibos and Ruth Kigen, in the programme in 2022.

He told Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege that he paid a total of Sh2.56 million to facilitate her daughters’ study in Finland, but none of them traveled.

“We discussed with Kibos and she had to defer her Law course at Moi University to enrol in Laurea University, Finland,” testified Kiptet.

He said he paid Sh1.18 million in installments, between July 5, 2022 and September 22, 2022, to ensure Kibos travelled abroad.

To facilitate the payments, Kiptet testified that he had to apply for a loan and also sell some of his livestock.

“We were informed that Finland was a peaceful country and our children would not only study, but would also be employed while they study there,” he testified.

The former chief of staff produced receipts showing that he paid fees for Kibos.

He testified that for Kigen, he paid a total of Sh1.37 million to facilitate her studies in Finland. However, he did not produce receipts to support his claims.

Kiptet admitted that he received a refund of Sh640,800 on February 21, 2023, from the money he allegedly paid for Kibos after exerting pressure on the county government.

“My daughter did not travel and when the programme was delayed, I asked for a refund. I still demand a balance of Sh1.92 million,” Kiptet tearfully testified.

However, during cross-examination by Lawyers Stephen Kibungei and Elijah Kibet, Kiptet could not provide evidence that he paid fees for her second daughter.

The former teacher also failed to explain why he benefited from the programme despite a condition that restricted beneficiaries to residents from Uasin Gishu.

“Kindly explain to the court where you reside and where you voted since 2013,” asked Kibungei.

“I voted in Baringo County, but I now reside in Eldoret,” he testified.

Kibungei also asked Kiptet on how he managed to enroll his two daughters, despitw conditions providing that only one person could be enrolled from a family.

He also failed to explain why he paid Sh6,000 for Kibos to do an interview, despite the requirement of a deposit of Sh9,000.