Mercy Tarus famed for taking Uasin Gishu County leadership head-on over the botched Ksh1.1 billion Finland and Canada scholarships program, alongside the rest of the students has written to President William Ruto seeking his intervention.
In the lengthy address, Tarus pleaded with the Head of state to offer respite to the 179 students who fell victim to the scam saying "...as time goes by, so does the hope to make their dreams come true."
The affected students argue that while President Ruto unfailingly presented himself as a product and champion of hustlers, young hustlers have suffered more in his administration.
"Mr. President when you were vying for office one year ago, you came home to Uasin Gishu and said that this government was for the hustlers with you as the Chief Hustler and we respect that. Young hustlers in the country are now worse off this year than they were last year due to the loss of their property and money," the letter reads in parts.
They say regardless of the President's call to the county leaders to refund the money, so far, no one has received their refund.
"When you attended the Devolution Conference in Uasin Gishu you stated that we should be refunded but one month down the line, nothing has happened on that front. As a matter of fact, they have now taken to chest-thumping and threatening the most vocal students in a bid to silence them. This begs the question where are you? Why have they refused to listen to you? Why are the hustlers being threatened for standing up for their rights? Where are we headed as your home County?"
Further, they said although an arrangement to offer them local scholarships was gracious, they are unwilling to continue waiting.
"Mr. President, we seek and urge your swift intervention to ensure that the county government of Uasin Gishu refunds money to the students to allow us to once again begin working towards our dreams."
Dear Mr. President @WilliamsRuto ...... pic.twitter.com/cBrg8W0Cph
— Mercy Tarus (@thisafricangirl) September 18, 2023
