Former Uasin Gishu Education Executive Joseph Kurgat on Thursday found himself struggling to explain his connection to the controversial Finland and Canada education programme, particularly how his own son became a beneficiary.
Testifying in court, Mr Kurgat insisted he had no direct involvement in the overseas education programme, claiming it was handled by his juniors.
The video, which was played in court, showed Mr Kurgat addressing the public in a press briefing where he explained how the county government had partnered with foreign universities to facilitate students' admission abroad.
“This time around, the challenge of a bank statement and visa requirements has been taken care of by the county. It is worth mentioning that this is a self-sponsored programme. Some may think that the county is paying the school fees, but we are only facilitating the process with a view of equipping our young people with the requisite skills so that they can be able to face the world and secure formal employment,” stated Mr Kurgat in the clip.
Testifying before Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege, Mr Kurgat confirmed to have made the statements which saw the defence lawyers accuse him of lying to the court.
The defence lawyers accused him of misleading the court by claiming ignorance of the programme’s operations.
Further trouble arose when Mr Kibet produced documentary evidence linking Mr Kurgat’s son Vincent Kiptoo, 28, to the programme.
The defence presented an admission letter from Northern Lights College in Canada dated April 13, 2022, proving that Kiptoo had enrolled under the same arrangement that led to complaints of mismanagement and alleged fraud.
When pressed on how his son secured the opportunity, Mr Kurgat claimed he was approached by one of the programme’s key administrators, Joshua Lelei who suggested he consider enrolling his son.
“I did not know much about the programme, but when my son showed interest, I decided to enroll him,” Mr Kurgat told the court.
He admitted that he paid the required school fees in three instalments in February, May and July 2022 into the Uasin Gishu County Overseas Education Trust account, as directed by Mr Lelei.
“One morning, after the governor and his team returned from Canada, Joshua Lelei came to my office and told me that the county had partnered with universities in Canada to offer some courses. He asked if I was willing to enroll my son. Joshua later gave me an account number to pay into and later informed me that my son had secured a university placement. I acted just like the other parents who were coming to my office seeking opportunities abroad,” he said.
Despite this admission, Mr Kurgat maintained that he was not directly involved in the programme’s operations and only learned of it in April 2022, when parents started visiting his office seeking scholarships.
As the scandal surrounding the failed programme intensified, Mr Kurgat received a letter from the Uasin Gishu County Assembly Clerk on January 24, 2023, requiring him to respond to complaints raised by parents through the County Executive.
Four days later, he wrote a response distancing himself from the initiative.
In the letter, Mr Kurgat indicated that those who were running the programme included Joseph Maritime- Chief Officer Youth and Sports, Joel Ruto, the director county education revolving fund, his deputy Meshack Rono, Joshua Lelei - Chief education revolving fund officer, Tony Tanui among others.
Mr Kurgat was the 41st witness to testify in the case where Senator Jackson Mandago and two others Joshua Lelei and Meshack Rono, have been charged with misappropriation of Sh1.1 billion meant for the airlift programme in Finland and Canada.
