chir, a resident of Racecourse in Uasin Gishu County and one of the students enrolled in the county-sponsored Finland Education Programme, said the court's decision reopened painful memories of shattered dreams. Fighting back tears, she recalled resigning from her job in preparation for her studies abroad, only to be left stranded after the programme collapsed.

Chepchirchir said she had placed her trust in the initiative because it was presented as a government programme and never imagined it would fail. She now relies on fundraising efforts to raise tuition fees so she can continue her education locally, lamenting that her peers who successfully travelled to Finland have already completed their studies.

Another victim, Joshua Kipkemboi from Tereshia Village in Ziwa, said he abandoned his journalism degree at Kisii University after his family paid Ksh.1.2 million for the Finland programme. Three years later, he says his education remains on hold and his future uncertain.

His mother, Dorcas Maiyo, revealed that the family sold two pieces of land to finance the opportunity, despite having no stable source of income. She said they believed the programme would provide a better future for their son.

Nicholas Cheruiyot Kemei from Turbo Constituency also said he sold land worth Ksh.1.17 million to fund his son's nursing studies in Finland. He appealed to President William Ruto to honour earlier assurances that affected students would be assisted in continuing their education while the case was before the courts.

Mary Kemei urged Senator Mandago to engage directly with the affected families in search of an out-of-court solution, saying their priority is recovering their losses rather than pursuing prolonged legal battles.

Some of the affected families further allege that they have received threats from government officials as they continue to seek justice and compensation following the collapse of the Finland scholarship programme.