Jackson Mandago and 2 Others to be Arraigned in Court Over Graft Charges

Uasin Gishu County Senator Jackson Mandago and two former county officials, Joshua Kipkemoi and Meshack Rono, are expected to be arraigned in court on Thursday on charges of abuse of office and stealing.

The three were arrested on Wednesday in Nakuru and detained overnight ahead of the arraignment. A fourth suspect, Joseph Kipkemoi Maritim, is still at large.

The charges against the three stem from their alleged involvement in the misappropriation of Sh1.1 billion from the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund, which is meant to finance the overseas university education of students from the county.

The charge sheet accuses Mandago of abusing his office by entering into a memorandum of understanding with various universities in Finland and Canada on behalf of the county government without the approval of the county assembly.

The other two officials are accused of stealing Sh56.5 million and Sh2.7 million from the trust fund.

President William Ruto has condemned the alleged graft and called on the suspects to return the money. He said the theft was an embarrassment to the county and that he would not allow such a thing to happen again.

The arraignment of Mandago and the other two suspects is a major step forward in the fight against corruption in Kenya. It is hoped that the case will send a strong message that those who steal public money will be brought to justice.