•Parents Appeal for Government and Public Support to Rescue Education Dreams of Uasin Gishu Students Affected by Finland-Canada Study Scandal
Uasin Gishu County, Kenya| Parents of over 200 students affected by the now-infamous Finland-Canada overseas education program in Uasin Gishu County are making a desperate appeal for support to salvage their children’s education.
The students, who were part of a government-linked scholarship initiative that promised study opportunities in Finland and Canada, remain stranded years after the plan collapsed—despite their families having paid millions of shillings in tuition fees.
Speaking under the banner of the Eldo 40 Vijana Tujiinue Vijana Tujisaidie Initiative, chaired by founder Hosea Kemei, the affected parents conveyed a mix of frustration, fear, and determination as they demanded justice and urgent intervention.
The parents claim they continue to face threats and intimidation for speaking out about the botched program, which has not only shattered the dreams of the youth but also left many families financially and emotionally devastated.
Noah Kemboi, one of the leading voices among the affected parents, revealed that more than 210 students are still at home—three years since the education scam unfolded.
“These children were supposed to be in Canada and Finland pursuing higher education. Instead, they are stuck at home with shattered dreams and their parents burdened with unbearable economic hardship,” he said.
Kemboi disclosed that the families, through their self-help initiative, are now appealing to the government, President William Ruto, and philanthropic individuals and organizations to help raise approximately Sh57 million.
The funds, they say, would help re-enroll the stranded students in local tertiary institutions, including the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and other colleges.
“We are pleading with President Ruto, who is not just our head of state but also a parent, to hear our cry. We believe he has the youth’s best interests at heart. We ask for his intervention to help us raise the required funds so these young people can resume their education, even if it means enrolling in Kenyan institutions,” said Kemboi.
He explained that out of the 210 affected students, about 100 had qualified for KMTC programs, which collectively require around Sh24 million in tuition fees.
The rest would need an additional Sh20 million to access other accredited technical and vocational colleges across the country.
“If we can secure this Sh57 million, these students will be able to restart their academic journeys without any further delays. They will eventually be able to secure employment and live dignified lives. This is not a political agenda; it is a humanitarian call to secure the future of our youth,” Kemboi added.
Magdaline Rutto, another parent, echoed Kemboi’s sentiments and invited the public to support a mega harambee (fundraiser) scheduled for June 14, 2025.
“We are urging our fellow Kenyans, our leaders—Members of Parliament, county officials, and the President—to step in and ensure that this generation is not lost. These children are our future,” she said.
For the affected students, the emotional toll has been equally profound. Asenath Okere, one of the students, recounted the anguish of watching her academic aspirations disintegrate.
She had been slated to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Thompson Rivers University in Canada, but those plans fell apart after the scandal.
“We believed the county would help us secure our future, but everything turned upside down after our families paid all the fees, and nothing materialized. We still want to study, even though time has passed. Please help us,” pleaded Asenath.
She further revealed that the psychological consequences have been severe. “Some of us are battling depression. Some gave up completely and got married just to move on. It has been heartbreaking,” she said.
The failed overseas scholarship initiative, once championed as a transformative education opportunity by county leaders, has now become a symbol of betrayal and mismanagement.
Investigations into the matter have so far not yielded clear accountability, leaving affected families in limbo.
As the date for the planned fundraiser draws near, the parents hope their story will reach compassionate ears across the country—and spark a collective effort to restore the shattered academic dreams of their children.
