The High Court sitting in Nakuru has issued arrest orders for Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and his former deputy John Barorot after they failed to appear in court.
The two were expected to testify in a significant case involving a Sh1 billion scandal related to a Finland education scholarship programme.
Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege, who issued the order, expressed frustration over the non-compliance of key figures in the case, which centres around allegations of embezzlement involving funds meant for a collaborative education project with Finland.
In 2023, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) began investigating the scandal.
The probe revealed that the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund Account, opened in May 2021, had accumulated nearly Sh957 million by December 2022, contributed by parents seeking educational opportunities for their children.
The funds, intended to support a scholarship programme for underprivileged children, are alleged to have been misappropriated, drawing significant public interest.
In addition to the arrest orders for Bii and Barorot, the court has summoned key witnesses Mercy Tarus and Joel Koech.
Their testimonies are expected to be pivotal in the case against Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and two others, who are charged with the misappropriation of finances related to the scholarship.
Arrest warrants have also been issued for three other individuals—Hillary Ruto, Stephen Lel, and Edwin Lel—who had previously been released on bond but failed to attend court as required.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
