Investigativecommittee of Uasin Gishu Assembly criticized for sloppy examination of a foreign trip costing Sh1.1 million
Flaws Exposed in Uasin Gishu County Assembly's Finland Education Programme Report
The Uasin Gishu County Assembly committee investigating the Finland Education Programme saga has faced criticism for conducting a biased and incomplete investigation, according to recent court proceedings. The 14-member committee, chaired by MCA Gilbert Kiptoo, produced a 78-page report alleging forgery, fraud, abuse of office, and misuse of funds, implicating key figures such as Senator Jackson Mandago and other county officials. However, during cross-examination, Kiptoo admitted that the investigation was incomplete and lacked crucial details.
Key allegations against the committee include:
- Failure to summon implicated individuals like officials Meshack Rono and Joshua Lelei for their statements, undermining fairness in the inquiry.
- Not contacting Tampere University in Finland to verify information, relying solely on county officials' supplied data without further independent fact-checking.
- The committee's report, despite making serious accusations, was shown in court to be incomplete and not well-substantiated.
- The investigation appeared biased, with Kiptoo admitting support for the current Governor's policy and not including the former Governor Mandago’s input, despite the programme spanning both their tenures.
The committee's findings led to the suspension of programmes in Finland and Canada. However, during cross-examination, Kiptoo was unable to explain why they arrived at their conclusion and could not pinpoint where he recorded that he had summoned Lelei and Rono to give their side of the story. Gaps were exposed in the committee's dealings during the probe, including the lack of verification of figures on personal benefits of Rono and Lelei from petitioner Reuben Chepses.
The case against Mandago and his co-accused for stealing and misuse of Sh1.1 billion in the Finland and Canada program will continue on August 25, 26, 27, and 28. Kiptoo confirmed that they believed a letter from Former Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member for Education, Joseph Kurgat, stating that he was not involved in the programme. Kiptoo testified that the county's laws were amended to accommodate overseas programs.
In addition, Kiptoo testified that the committee did not contact parents whose children did not travel or the students in Finland during the probe. The committee did not invite Mandago, who was the initiator of the programme, during their probe. Kiptoo testified that they did not contact Tampere University since all the information was supplied to them by the county officials. The committee not only concluded that county officials embezzled funds but also invited the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the matter.
The criticism highlights major procedural flaws, including lack of transparency, poor evidence verification, and possible political bias, undermining the legitimacy of the committee's findings and recommendations in the ongoing legal case.
- The committee's incomplete investigation into the Finland Education Programme has raised concerns about its impartiality, as it failed to contact key individuals like Meshack Rono and Joshua Lelei, and neglected to verify information from Tampere University, relying solely on county officials' data.
- The investigation's procedural flaws extend beyond biased decisions, as the committee did not reach out to parents whose children did not travel or students in Finland, and did not invite Senator Jackson Mandago, the programme's initiator, for his statement.
- In the midst of the Finland Education Programme controversy, questions about the committee's approach to policy-and-legislation, business, and general-news matters have arisen, with concerns about the lack of transparency, poor evidence verification, and potential political bias.
