A section of politicians allied to Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition have reacted to the arrest and arraignment of Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago over the Finland and Canada scholarships fiasco.
Mandago was on Thursday arraigned before a Nakuru court over numerous graft-related charges including conspiring to steal Sh1.1 billion from a Kenya Commercial Bank account in Eldoret registered under the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund.
The UDA Senator was accompanied by two other defendants, Joshua Lelei and Mishack Rono.
The court said it cannot commence criminal proceedings due to one accused person missing. Prosecution demanded that the accused persons remain in custody.
Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ndege ruled that Mandago and his co-accused be released on a bond of 2 million shillings.
Reacting to the development, Ojowa, the leader of Alliance Popular (AP) party Dan Ojowa and 2027 presidential hopeful, said Mandago will be finally set free saying his arrest was a PR exercise.
The politician allied to Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition said the war on graft will not be won during the regime of President William Ruto alleging no suspect will be jailed by the next election.
“No corruption case can be truly prosecuted under Ruto regime…worst, with Ruto’s share-spoon buddy. Trust me, the PR and LIES already started with Ruto himself yesterday…Senator Mandago will be free and back to stealing again,” he said.
Former ICT Minister Samuel Poghisio expressed similar sentiments saying Mandago will be set free since he belongs to Ruto’s ruling UDA party.
“Let’s all agree that it’s difficult to arrest a parliamentarian in the ruling party. Tomorrow he’s free and everything looks normal. Let’s talk about how the ordinary Kenyan survives. Keep on walking and you will arrive healthy. Good luck to Senator Mandago and hopefully survive,” tweeted Poghisio, former Senator for West Pokot county.
