By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 2 August 2026 - Nearly five years after the controversial Finland and Canada scholarship programme left hundreds of families counting losses, Uasin Gishu leaders are now turning to community elders and religious leaders in a fresh attempt to end one of the county's most contentious disputes.
Governor Jonathan Bii announced on Sunday that the long-running scholarship saga has been handed over to county elders and religious leaders to spearhead reconciliation efforts and restore calm among affected families.
Speaking in Chepkoilel in the presence of President William Ruto, Bii said the county wanted to draw a line under the issue through community-led dialogue.
"The issue involving the Finland scholarship is one that has troubled this country for such a long time," the governor said.
"Now that the matter has been handed over to the community elders in the county, as well as the bishops, we do not want to hear any issues surrounding that matter ever again in this county."
The move marks a shift from courtroom battles to traditional and faith-based mediation, reflecting the role elders and religious leaders have historically played in resolving community conflicts and promoting reconciliation.
The scholarship programme saw more than 300 parents pay money under the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Programme, hoping to secure university placements for their children in Finland and Canada. Many students, however, were left stranded after the programme collapsed, triggering investigations and prolonged legal proceedings.
More from Kenya
Governor Bii's announcement comes days after the Nakuru Law Courts acquitted former Uasin Gishu Governor and current Senator Jackson Mandago in the Sh1.1 billion scholarship case, a decision that has reignited debate over accountability and compensation for affected families.
Before the acquittal, Kalenjin elders and church leaders had publicly apologised to parents and students and pledged to help find a lasting solution within two months.
Despite the latest intervention, some parents remain sceptical, insisting that mediation should not replace compensation. Several have previously staged protests outside the governor's office in Eldoret, demanding immediate refunds rather than prolonged negotiations.
The issue has also exposed political divisions within the county, with Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi repeatedly urging leaders to prioritise compensating affected families instead of engaging in political exchanges.
As elders and bishops begin the reconciliation process, affected families say the ultimate measure of success will be whether the initiative delivers the justice and financial redress they have sought for years.