Uasin Gishu Woman Representative, Gladys Boss Shollei finally weighed in on the Finland Scholarship Scandal on Monday after her constituents questioned her silence regarding the matter that has caused a nationwide political storm.
Speaking during an interview with Spice FM, the former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary explained her prior silence, stating that she had refrained from commenting on the issue due to her limited familiarity with the details and her lack of awareness about the program initiated by former Governor Jackson Mandago's administration.
"I was deliberately quiet because I did know how this had happened. When I made inquiries of what transpired, I did not get credible information from the right people," she stated.
"I assume when a Governor announces scholarships that's what they are. It never occurred to me in my wildest dreams that it wasn't true," she added.
The National Assembly Deputy Speaker argued that she saw several fundraisers being conducted throughout the county but she did not follow up at the time, because she was under the impression that the program was a legitimate initiative by the county government to grant scholarships to needy students from across the vast county.
"The former governor and his predecessor are the ones in the know. They should have guided us since they have access to the accounts," Shollei added.
Additionally, she accused Mandago, of failing to put in place a coherent framework and failing to inform parents about the subsequent financial obligations they would be required to meet after the students embarked on their journey to Finland.
The MP distanced herself from the program initiated by Mandago, insisting that her program was a separate cause aimed at empowering the Uasin Gishu residents.
Regarding the matter, Shollei recommended a refund of the funds to parents and the cessation of the program to prevent further financial losses.
"The county needs to draft a way to cater to those already in Finland and the program should only be revisited when there is a clear framework on how it will operate," she remarked.
Shollei reiterated her stance that once the investigations reach a conclusion, anyone found culpable should face legal consequences.
Senator Mandago, who was arrested in connection with the scam, was released on August 17, having posted a Ksh2 million bond or a Ksh500,000 cash bail.
Investigations are ongoing and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), is expected to forward the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further action.
