In a shocking turn of events, a Nakuru court has issued a warrant of arrest against Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and his former deputy John Barorot.
The two were expected to testify in a high-profile case involving the alleged misappropriation of Ksh 1 billion meant for a Finland education scholarship program for underprivileged children in the county.
Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege ordered the arrest of Governor Bii and his ex-deputy Barorot when they failed to appear in court as summoned.
The court also issued arrest warrants for three other individuals – Hillary Ruto, Stephen Lel, and Edwin Lel – who had been bonded by the prosecution but did not show up for the proceedings.
The case has garnered significant public interest, with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) launching investigations in 2023.
The probe revealed that the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund Account, opened in May 2021, had accumulated nearly Ksh 957 million by December 2022, contributed by parents seeking educational opportunities for their children through the scholarship program.
However, the funds intended to support underprivileged students are now alleged to have been embezzled, leading to the charges against Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and two others.
The court has also summoned two key witnesses, Mercy Tarus and Joel Koech, whose testimonies are expected to be crucial in the case against Mandago and his co-accused.
The arrest warrants for Governor Bii and his former deputy underscore the seriousness of the allegations and the determination of the judiciary to ensure that all relevant parties cooperate with the investigation.
As the case unfolds, the people of Uasin Gishu and the nation at large await the outcome, hoping for justice and accountability in the management of public funds meant for the education and empowerment of the youth.