Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Addresses Controversial Finland Scholarship Scandal Amid Public Inquiry
Uasin Gishu Woman Representative, Gladys Boss Shollei, has finally spoken out about the Finland Scholarship Scandal that has been engulfing the political landscape. The controversy, which has raised significant questions about the administration of educational programs, prompted Shollei to address her constituents' concerns in an interview with Spice FM on Monday.
During the interview, the former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary provided insight into her prolonged silence on the matter. Shollei cited her lack of familiarity with the specifics and the program initiated by the former Governor of Uasin Gishu, Jackson Mandago, as reasons for her initial reticence.
"I chose to remain quiet because I was unaware of how this situation unfolded. My attempts to gather reliable information from credible sources did not yield conclusive results," she expressed.
Shollei admitted that she had assumed the scholarships announced by the Governor were authentic and hadn't entertained the notion that they could be otherwise. She explained that she witnessed multiple fundraising events across the county, but due to her understanding of the situation as a legitimate county government initiative, she hadn't actively inquired about the matter.
According to Shollei, the responsibility for the program's details and operations rested with the former governor and his predecessor. She emphasized that they should have provided accurate guidance, particularly considering their access to pertinent financial records.
The Uasin Gishu Woman Representative differentiated her own efforts from the questioned program, underlining that her initiatives were aimed at empowering local residents. She recommended that parents be refunded and the program be suspended to prevent further financial ramifications.
Shollei proposed a clear framework for addressing the situation, suggesting that the county administration should establish a method to support the students already in Finland and revisit the scholarship program only when comprehensive operational guidelines are established.
Amid ongoing investigations into the scandal, Shollei reiterated her stance that individuals found responsible for any wrongdoing should be held legally accountable. Former Governor Mandago, who was arrested in connection with the scandal, was released on bail pending further actions by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
As the investigation progresses, Shollei's comments offer a glimpse into the complexity of the situation and the various perspectives surrounding the Finland Scholarship Scandal.