Police in Kisumu have rescued 12 Grade 10 students in Manyatta area who were found stranded after they fell victim to a suspected scholarship scam, while attempting to report to senior school.

Accompanied by their parents, the students were reportedly left stranded on Tuesday at a boda boda (taxi motorbike)shed in Manyatta estate, Kosawo, after an individual who had promised them scholarships to St Albert Chiepe Secondary School in Homa Bay County failed to show up.

Officer Commanding Kondele Police Station Daniel Ogechi said the report was received from Manyatta A Sub-Location Assistant Chief Agnes Ogweno who said the parents became suspicious after the suspect sent a matatu (van) to pick the students up without showing up in person.

“Parents sought help after waiting the whole day without success and feared for the safety of their children,” Ogechi said.

Upon visiting the scene, police officers found a group of nine girls and three boys aged between 15 and 17 years, waiting near Manyatta Primary School with their luggage, dressed in different school uniforms.

Officers also impounded a matatu (van) registration number KDC 497H and arrested both the driver and conductor to assist with the investigations. The vehicle was detained at Kondele Police Station. Further operations led to the arrest of the suspected organiser, identified as Shem Otieno Owaga, aged 26 years, in Otonglo.

Principal of St Albert Chiepe Secondary School Richard Oduor was later contacted by the police and he confirmed that the school runs a legitimate scholarship programme. He pledged to work with the police to ensure the students report to school on Wednesday.

The incident comes at a time when many students around the country are yet to report to their respective learning institutions due to lack of school fees, confusion over placement and increased fraud cases targeting desperate parents seeking school admission opportunities.

As investigation to the incident continues police have warned parents to remain vigilant and always verify scholarship offers with schools and education offices, before releasing their children.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Faith Lumumba