High Court Revives Uasin Gishu Finland Education Scam Case, Offering Hope to Defrauded Families
“The county government, led by Governor Jonathan Bii, had argued that the Small Claims Court proceedings were unfair and biased”
Advocate Douglas Okari, representing victims of the Finland and Canada education saga, addresses the media in Eldoret, calling for accountability and swift justice.Photo By Mahlon Lichuma.
Hundreds of parents and students from Kenya’s North Rift region who lost an estimated Sh210 million in the controversial Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Programme have welcomed a landmark High Court ruling that restores their case to the Eldoret Small Claims Court.
On Thursday, Judge Emily Ominde dismissed an attempt by the Uasin Gishu County Government to have the matter halted and transferred to the High Court, directing instead that proceedings resume immediately where they were paused in the Small Claims Court.
“This decision restores faith in the judicial process for victims who have waited years for justice,” Judge Ominde stated in her written ruling, underscoring that the High Court lacked grounds to interfere with the lower court’s mandate.
County Government’s Failed Bid to Halt Case
The county government, led by Governor Jonathan Bii, had argued that the Small Claims Court proceedings were unfair and biased. Officials sought to move the case to the High Court while their appeal was pending. However, the High Court found no evidence of procedural injustice.
Governor Bii’s legal team maintained that the Small Claims Court was ill‑equipped to handle the matter, but their application was dismissed in full.
The Finland Education Scandal
The dispute stems from a botched initiative launched years ago to place Kenyan students in overseas institutions, particularly in Finland and Canada, under a program promised to be funded jointly by the county and participating families.
Instead, many parents say they were left out of pocket after paying significant sums — in some cases after selling land or borrowing — only for the placements to fail. Investigations revealed that funds were misallocated, and millions of shillings could not be accounted for.
Voices of the Affected Families
For those affected, the High Court ruling represents a critical step toward justice.
“This isn’t just about money — this is about our children’s futures,” said Shadrack Juma, a parent who appeared in court. “We sold land and borrowed money in good faith. We need refunds and accountability.”
Another student, whose placement never materialized, described the ordeal as “devastating,” adding: “We were promised opportunities abroad. Instead, we lost our savings and our hopes.”
With the High Court’s directive, the Eldoret Small Claims Court is expected to reconvene the case without further delay. The move is likely to accelerate the hearing of evidence and testimonies from families and officials alike.
Meanwhile, ongoing criminal investigations by the Ethics and Anti‑Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) continue, with several officials linked to the education program still under scrutiny.
As proceedings move forward, hundreds of families remain hopeful that the wheels of justice — long stalled — will finally start turning in their favor.
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