Former Uasin Gishu Governor and Senator Jackson Mandago, alongside his co-accused Meshack and Joshua, has been acquitted in a criminal case linked to the controversial Finland/Canada education programme, bringing to a close one of the country’s most closely watched education investment cases.
In a statement issued after the ruling, the trio’s lawyers, Limo & Njoroge Advocates, said the Nakuru Law Courts acquitted the three, arguing that the court based its decision strictly on the evidence presented and the law, despite intense public and political scrutiny surrounding the case.
The law firm said the judgment reaffirmed the importance of the rule of law and thanked its clients for their trust throughout the proceedings.
However, the advocates acknowledged that the acquittal does not resolve the financial losses suffered by hundreds of parents whose children failed to travel to Finland under the programme despite paying fees.
The firm said it had already initiated legal proceedings aimed at recovering the parents’ money.
According to the lawyers, the suits target parents and students whom they allege benefited from funds contributed by other families but failed to account for or refund the money.
“We recognise the pain and frustration many families have carried over money paid for children who never travelled to Finland. This ruling does not change our commitment to see that money recovered,” the statement said.
The Finland/Canada education programme attracted national attention after parents raised concerns over millions of shillings paid for overseas education opportunities that did not materialise, prompting criminal investigations and separate efforts to recover the funds.
The acquittal concludes the criminal proceedings against the three accused, although civil efforts to recover money for affected families are expected to continue.
