Parents want fees refund in airlift saga to Canada varsity

Speaking to the media in Eldoret, the parents said they are no longer interested in having their children travel through the county airlift programme and instead want their money paid to the county refunded.

David Saina, an affected parent claimed the county had advertised for an opportunity for students to study and work abroad, and like many other parents, he advised his son to apply.

"We were given a short notice, and instructed to pay Sh950,000 fee for various courses in various universities. I paid the amount for my son to join Thompson Rivers University (TRU). Since August 2022, nothing has been done. We have been promised that the students will go for medicals, biometrics and launching of the visa, but all have been empty promises," Saina said.

He said parents have suffered in silence over the months and that they have resorted to seek the intervention of the media.

"We are depressed seeing our children at home, yet we have sold our assets in order to raise the required amount. I disposed my car to raise the fee, but now, I want my money back, so that I can focus on other things and forget about this ordeal," Saina lamented.

Parents said even after the county announced that EACC would take up a forensic audit of the fee accounts deposited by parents, no information pertaining to the investigations has been given.

"We have heard claims the money was used to pay deficits for students stranded in Finland, and the money in the overseas account could have been exhausted. Our worry is that although we have receipts showing our payment, no one is accountable to us," said Saina.

Rebecca Wangari from Timboroa said her daughter was set to join the foreign University for a Masters in Public Health. She said after expressing interest for their children to join the Canadian University, they were asked to pay fee as commitment.

"I deposited Sh1 million before a series of postponements started, each time the liaison officers from the county asking for patience. Now, I regret paying the money," said Wangari.

A student who had applied to study a degree in Computing Science, said he began his process in August last year on an agreement that he would travel in December 2022.

"We have been taken in cycles, and I wrote to the county requesting a refund since February but I have not received response. I only wish concerned officials were transparent and honest," said the student.

Amon Sawe, another parent from Kiplombe said he sold his parcel of land, paid the fee through the account given by county officials for his child to join TRU.

Governor Jonathan Bii had in March 9, urged Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to audit the Uasin Gishu County Overseas Trust Account held at KCB Bank to determine if officials mismanaged funds meant for students studying in Finland as stated by a report endorsed by the County Assembly.