The case surrounding the Sh1.1 billion Finland and Canada education programme has now entered a more serious phase as attention shifts directly to the financial trail that controlled the movement of the money.
The latest move by a Nakuru court to summon a senior bank official shows that investigators are now narrowing down on individuals who may have handled key transactions linked to the scandal. This step places the spotlight on the banking processes that supported the programme and raises questions about how such a large amount of money moved without early red flags being raised.
The bank official, whose name has not yet been released, is expected to explain how accounts tied to the programme were operated. This testimony is considered important because the accounts were used to receive, transfer, and possibly withdraw millions paid by parents and students. According to prosecutors, these details could help uncover whether the money was spent on the intended purpose or if it was diverted through dishonest dealings.
Investigators believe the records kept by the bank may be the missing link to understanding how the scandal unfolded and who benefited from the funds.
The court noted that the officer’s appearance is necessary to determine whether suspicious transactions took place. This includes checking for unusual withdrawals, cash movements that do not match official instructions, or signs that several individuals may have worked together to defraud parents.
The financial records are expected to reveal the truth behind claims that large sums went missing long before the scandal became public.
The entire case has caused pain and frustration for families across Kenya. The programme promised to take students to Finland and Canada for further studies, and many parents sacrificed heavily to raise the required money.
Some sold land while others took bank loans, trusting that their children would receive proper placement in foreign institutions. For many families, education is seen as a reliable investment, making the collapse of the programme even more heartbreaking.
When the scandal broke, it became clear that the promises made to parents did not match what was happening behind the scenes. Several students who travelled abroad ended up stranded because their fees were not paid to the institutions they were assigned to.
Others, who were still in Kenya, saw their dreams cut short even after making the full required payments. The confusion and lack of transparency created anger nationwide, with many demanding accountability from the organisers.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has since widened its probe to include county officials, intermediaries, and now the banking sector.
The move to summon the bank official indicates that investigators are now following every financial step taken since the programme began. The hope is that by reviewing these accounts, they will identify any suspicious patterns that point to misuse or diversion of the funds.
Legal experts believe that more witnesses will likely be called as the financial information becomes clearer. Some county employees and agents who played roles in the programme may also be questioned further.
Prosecutors have already suggested that more arrests could follow depending on what the financial documents reveal. For the affected families, this phase of the investigation brings a new sense of hope that those responsible for the scandal will finally be exposed and held accountable.
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