Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago faced a hostile reception while accompanying Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to a rally in Eldoret.
Mandago was forced to dash for safety inside his car after Gachagua addressed the crowd on Friday, August 18, enroute to close the Devolution Conference 2023.
A video seen by Kenyans.co.ke captured Mandago attempting to calm down the enraged crowd, who jeered at him with profanities, seemingly irked by his alleged involvement in the Finland airlift scandal and his subsequent arrest.
As his drivers maneuvered past the residents who had gathered to welcome Gachagua, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) senator emerged from the sunroof to acknowledge them. However, he was compelled to retreat quickly into his car after they shouted him down and hurled objects in his direction.
Reports allege that Mandago had attempted to address the residents who accused him of swindling them off millions of money in the controversial education program.
"Go away. We don't want you to address us. Just go away, we will not listen to you," the crowd was heard shouting as his drivers sped off.
A sizable throng trailed Mandago's convoy, probably aiming to emphasise their discontent with the senator, who has faced nationwide criticism in the wake of allegations that he was involved in the scheme that siphoned approximately Ksh1 billion from desperate students and parents.
Once again, Mandago was seen popping up his head through the sunroof of his SUV car, but he was quickly signaled by his aides to duck for safety.
The incident occurred barely 24 hours after he was released on bond following his arrest on account of embezzling money meant to fund the Uasin Gishu Scholarship Fund.
Mandago and two co-accused were on Thursday, August 17, arraigned in court over Finland Scholarship Scandal, a financial irregularity committed by Uasin Gishu County government officials.
At the same rally, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to respect the international community, especially US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman, who was criticised for claiming that the August 9, 2022, General Election was conducted free and fair.
"The old man should respect people. He does not even have the power to fire a local Chief, yet he is claiming to be able to force America to recall their Ambassador.
"Raila should relax at home and wait for his monthly Ksh2,000 meant for the elderly under the Inua Jamii programme," Gachagua chided the opposition leader, who threatened to call for the withdrawal of Ambassador Whitman.
Odinga, who also presented the keynote speech at the conference, spoke against graft and urged stakeholders to protect taxpayer's money.
Earlier, while addressing a crowd in Eldoret before opening the Devolution Conference 2023 on Wednesday, August 16, President William Ruto further warned those accused of embezzling the Uasin Gishu Scholarship Fund that he will ensure they refund the money.
"It's embarrassing for anyone to steal money meant for the education of young people in Uasin Gishu. Those involved should carry their own cross," the President cautioned.
