The High Court in Nakuru has issued an arrest warrant for Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and his former deputy, John Barorot, after they failed to appear in court to testify in the ongoing Ksh. 1 billion Finland education scholarship scandal.
DG Barorot resigned a few weeks ago stating that he had received a job offer with an international company to serve as its CEO. The identity of the company, however, remains a mystery.
Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege ordered their arrest following their absence in the case.
In addition to the arrest orders, the court has also summoned two key witnesses: Mercy Tarus and Joel Koech.
Mercy Tarus, a graduate of Kabarak University, gained national attention for her bold confrontation of Governor Bii, his deputy Barorot, and Senator Jackson Mandago, demanding answers over the controversial Uasin Gishu education airlift program.
Tarus, a 24-year-old hairdresser, revealed in August that her parents had taken out a loan of Ksh. 900,000 to fund her education through the program, which failed and ultimately left her heartbroken.
After the program collapsed, she resorted to selling porridge and mandazi on weekends to support herself. Her story highlighted the financial struggles many families faced after investing in the failed project.
In response to the outcry, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) launched an investigation in 2023 into the alleged embezzlement of Ksh. 1 billion by Uasin Gishu County officials.
According to the EACC, the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund Account was opened in May 2021, and by December 2022, it had received Ksh. 957,167,143 from parents.
