Mercy Tarus, a Kabarak University graduate, attracted nationwide praise after bravely confronting Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, his deputy John Barorot, and Senator Jackson Mandago over the Uasin Gishu education airlift programme.
On Wednesday, August 9, the 24-year-old hairdresser stated that she resorted to selling porridge and mandazi on weekends to make ends meet after her parents lost money in the controversial project, which attracted nationwide condemnation.
Tarus graduated from Kabarak University in 2021 and has been volunteering at a local school for three months. She also took a short course in hairdressing to boost her income. She also writes poems to create awareness of mental health issues.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Tarus stated that she was poised to enroll in the Northern Lights College in Canada to pursue a two-year diploma course in Social Service.
Her flight was scheduled for December 2022, but the leaders reportedly claimed that her flight was affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They thus postponed her travel to February 2023.
"That's why I stated that they lie so much. In February they told us we would go in May but they have just been taking us on a ride," the graduate, who is a teacher by profession stated.
"My plan was to finish the course and start working so I can repay the loans then I can further my studies on my money but they did this to us," she added.
According to Tarus, who resides in Uasin Gishu County, her parents took up a loan of about Ksh900,000 to cater for the controversial program that ended up breaking her heart.
"This is highway robbery in broad daylight, they are robbing from us, and they are using the government to do it," Tarus told the media, adding that parents were hopeful of their children flying to study in Finland and Canada.
Tarus, however, confronted the leaders at the Eldoret Municipality Social Hall with the hope of exposing the injustice and was unaware that her speech would resonate with the public.
She was described as a confident Gen Z after her videos were circulated widely across diverse social media platforms. Generation Z (often shortened to Gen Z) are individuals born between 1995 and 2010 and are considered true digital natives as they have been exposed to the internet from a tender age.
"I was not being rude; I just wanted accountability from the leaders we elected. I did not know it had reached that many people. I told them what was on my mind, and I knew it was enough," she further narrated.
"The children of the politicians we schooled together are studying abroad and enjoying good lives while I am here selling porridge and mandazi. Unlike them, our parents sold property, including land, or applied for loans to enable us to fly overseas. I wanted the leaders to understand our pain," the graduate teacher added.
The heartbroken Tarus lamented that she no longer had anything to live for and would not be bothered if the goons were sent her way for asking tough questions.
Nonetheless, she demanded a full refund of the Ksh900,000 her parents paid after her dream to travel abroad to study at the Social Work Northern Lights College in Canada failed.
"I was supposed to go to Canada but here I am selling porridge and mandazi while your daughter is earning her Euros in the UK," she lamented.
While addressing the leaders, the hairdresser proposed a thought-provoking question, inquiring whether they were familiar with the illnesses a majority of the victims were suffering. She attributed the illnesses to depression occasioned by the loss of their money in the Finland airlift programme.
Her father, she disclosed, is on anti-depressants that cost Ksh200 daily. However, he was motivated to push forward after her daughter openly confronted the leaders.
"On the anti-depressant remark, my dad was proud and even stated that he has a soldier in the house," Taurus stated.
The Kabarak graduate had also questioned the leaders on other issues, including poor time management and taking advantage of residents who elected them.
"You called us for a 9 am meeting, but what time did you arrive here? You probably don't expect me to ask such a question. But we elected you to serve us. I may seem very foolish to say these things considering I am young," Taurus stated amid applause from the attendees.
The Ethic and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is expected to issue a comprehensive report on the Finland airlift programme in Uasin Gishu after detectives launched investigations into the matter.
However, speaking on the issue at the Eldoret Municipality Social Hall, Senator Mandago, who served as the governor when the programme was launched, expressed his willingness to be grilled by investigative agencies.
"I am open to any questions and have recorded statements with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) as well because I want nothing but the truth. People have suffered, and it is equally affecting me," Mandago assured the parents and other stakeholders.
"We shall ensure the money is refunded," Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, who succeeded Mandago in the 2022 General Election, added.
Mercy Taurus corroborated the same and told Kenyans.co.ke that she was asked to wait for a response within seven days.
