Former Baringo County Chief of Staff Edward Kiptet used his powers and influence to enrol his two daughters in the controversial Uasin Gishu County Overseas Programme, a Nakuru court has heard.
The revelations emerged during the hearing of the ongoing case in which former Governor Jackson Mandago and other current and former top county officials have been charged with theft, abuse of office and other offences.
It was revealed that Mr Kiptet manipulated the system in his favour but eventually became a victim of the failed scholarship programme.
Mr Kiptet testified that he spent a total of Sh2.56 million to facilitate the overseas education of his two daughters who never travelled after the programme encountered several challenges.
The airlift programme, which was intended to benefit Uasin Gishu County students from humble backgrounds, stipulated that only one person per family could benefit.
However, Mr Kiptet, who is a resident of Baringo County, managed to enrol not just one but both of his daughters – Ann Kibos and Ruth Kigen – for studies in Finland. One of the daughters deferred her Law course at Moi University to join Laurea University in Finland, a plan that never materialised.
Former Baringo County Chief of Staff Edward Kiptet appears before Nakuru Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege to testify in the Finland education scholarship case.
Photo credit: Joseph Openda | Nation
Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege, Mr Kiptet, who is the 100th prosecution witness in the case where Uasin Gishu Senator Mandago is accused of misappropriating Sh1.1 billion meant for the programme, said he had only received a refund of Sh640,800 on February 21, 2023.
He added that he is still demanding a refund of Sh1.92 million from county officials who he claimed were the architects of the programme.
“My daughter did not travel and when the programme was delayed, I requested a refund. I am still demanding the balance of Sh1.92 million,” said Mr Kiptet.
These details came to light during cross-examination by defence lawyers who questioned how he managed to enrol both daughters against the rules of the programme.
Mr Stephen Kibungei, representing Senator Mandago, pressed the witness to admit that he used his influence to improperly benefit from the scholarship.
The lawyer argued that it was Mr Kiptet’s position as Baringo Chief of Staff and his activism that enabled him to bypass the rules and push for a refund. He further accused Mr Kiptet of mobilising other parents and leading protests against the county administration to demand refunds.
According to the lawyer, Mr Kiptet paid only Sh6,000 instead of the required Sh9,000 for the interviews, suggesting preferential treatment.
In his defence, Mr Kiptet admitted to voting in Baringo but said he currently resides in Uasin Gishu County. He said he paid Sh1.18 million in instalments between July 5 and September 22, 2022, for his daughters planned education abroad.
“I had to apply for a loan and also sell some of my livestock to raise this amount. This is because I was informed that my daughters would not only study but also get employment,” he said.
He insisted he had a right to demand a refund and faulted the lawyers for targeting him based on his voting location.
Mr Kiptet was among five witnesses who testified on Wednesday, bringing the total number of witnesses who have so far testified to 100 out of the 202 lined up by the prosecution.
Senator Mandago is facing 10 charges including conspiracy, theft, abuse of office and forgery related to the misappropriation of Sh1.1 billion.
