By Robert Mutasi 
Hundreds of parents and students affected by the Sh1 billion Uasin Gishu Finland education program held protests in Eldoret on Wednesday to demand refunds, a day after Sen. Jackson Mandago was acquitted.
The protesters blocked streets and marched to the Uasin Gishu County headquarters, saying more than 350 families paid millions of shillings for overseas studies that never materialized.
The demonstrations followed a ruling by Nakuru Senior Principal Magistrate Alloyce Ndege, who dismissed charges against Mandago and two others. Ndege said the prosecution failed to prove its case despite hearing 138 witnesses.
Mandago, the former Uasin Gishu governor, was accused alongside two former county officials over the loss of funds collected from parents for university placements in Finland and Canada.
Parents said they were promised that a single payment would cover tuition, flights and accommodation. Many say they paid over Sh1 million per child after selling land and taking loans.
While a few students traveled, most were left stranded.
Shadrack Juma, who said he lost Sh1.2 million, said victims will not relent.
“The court has made its decision but we paid our money to the county and failed to get the study opportunities. We will not tire until justice is done,” he said.
The families now want Governor Jonathan Bii to take responsibility and refund the money. They have threatened to storm county offices Tuesday and are pursuing civil cases in small claims courts.
They are also asking the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to launch fresh investigations and appealing to President William Ruto to intervene.
The county government has maintained that some funds were sent to foreign institutions and that efforts to place students or refund parents were ongoing. Parents say they are yet to see results.
Baraka Simba 
George Mwangi 
Eldoret Leo