Mercy Tarus, a Kabarak University graduate, has urged prospective employers and other Kenyans to assist her in championing the rights of Uasin Gishu's parents and students rather than offer her jobs.
The graduate became a nationwide sensation days after confronting Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, his deputy John Barorot, and Senator Jackson Mandago over the controversial Uasin Gishu education airlift programme.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Saturday, August 12, Tarus, a teacher by profession and a hairdresser, revealed that she declined five job offers, excluding an offer by Narok Senator Ledama Olekina.
She explained that her priority was to ensure that the families who lost millions in the airlift scheme were compensated and also declined to divulge the details of the offers she received.
"When people don't see from a larger perspective, it diminishes the importance of other people's lives. It is not only my life at stake. If I go with the wave and there are other people who are being affected, then it means I will have joined the other side," she disclosed.
Tarus also explained the controversy surrounding the job opportunity Narok Senator Ledama Olekina offered her, refuting claims she rejected it as reported widely.
Ledama, through his social media pages, invited the courageous youth to sit down with him and discuss how they can partner.
However, Tarus, urged the senator to pressure Mandago, who recorded a statement with investigative authorities, to ensure parents were compensated before holding further conversations. Ledama ignored the condition and instead called for Mandago's apprehension.
"Anyone who obtains money under false pretence should be jailed! I have no business talking to Senator Mandago about the Finland scholarship scandal. He knows what he did. Let him face the consequences," Ledama declined to honour Tarus' demands.
"This is not a Senate issue. I am cut from a different cloth! I belong to a club of future thinkers and only reward boldness! I am a self-made industrialist, apart from being a politician. You will learn this slowly," the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politician responded.
Tarus, who had hoped to enroll in the Northern Lights College in Canada to pursue a two-year diploma course in Social Service, thus distanced herself from reports claiming that he turned down Ledama's offer.
"I did not reject that job offer, I suggested that he should talk to his fellow senator to compensate the funds, but now he (Ledama) has said that he has no business talking to Mandago which is okay with me. That's like telling me no, I am not getting that job," she detailed.
"My dream is to go abroad. If I could go and expand my territories and perspectives and come back with different ideas, I think I could be of more help than right now. I did not speak out for my sake. It was for all of us, not only for me but the focus is on me and not the others," Tarus added.
Among other leaders who reached out to her was Syntei Nchoe, Nominated MCA, who asked to meet the graduate during the incoming county's Devolution Conference.
The MCA also criticised Ledama, wondering why the senator failed to provide job opportunities to his constituents before contacting Tarus.
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