A Nakuru Court on Monday ordered for the arrest of Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and his former Deputy Governor John Barorot.
The order, issued by Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege, came after both officials failed to appear in court to testify in the ongoing Ksh1.1 billion Finland Education Programme scandal.
Additionally, two other individuals linked to the case were also subjected to arrest warrants.
The scandal, which has drawn public attention, involves allegations of misappropriated funds intended for a collaborative education project with Finland.
The case has been marred by delays and non-compliance by key figures who were expected to provide crucial testimony regarding the mismanagement of funds.
The Senior Principal Magistrate issued arrest warrants for five individuals, including two who were previously bonded by the prosecution but failed to appear in court.
The arrest orders extended to Hillary Ruto, Stephen Lel, and Edwin Lel.
Additionally, the court has summoned two key witnesses, Mercy Tarus and Joel Koech, to testify.
These witnesses are crucial in the case against Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and two others who are charged with the misappropriation of finances in the Finland saga.
This fund was initially earmarked for an overseas education scholarship intended for needy children.
The testimony of Tarus and Koech is expected to play a pivotal role in the proceedings, shedding light on the alleged financial misconduct.
In July 2024, a revelation in a Nakuru court stunned attendees when Joel Cheruiyot Chelule, the chairperson of the Uasin Gishu County Revolving Fund, confessed to receiving substantial payments for accompanying a former county governor on international trips.
Chelule disclosed that he was awarded Ksh 700,000 as per diem for travelling with the then-county governor to Finland and Canada in 2021.
The purpose of their travel was to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with three universities aimed at establishing an overseas education program for students from the county.
