Rodgers Kipruto Kosgei, a Kenyan nursing student at Laurea University’s Tikkurila Campus, was found dead in his hostel room in Finland. His body was discovered hanging in his room after his family reported him missing. The deceased was among the 202 students who left Kenya in September 2022 to study in Finnish universities through the Uasin Gishu County Overseas Program.
Before heading to Finland for nursing studies, Kipruto worked at Mediheal Hospital in Nakuru. His death is a great loss to his family, friends, the Chirchir community, and the nursing profession, said Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii.
In March, three Finnish universities – Laurea University, Jyvaskylla University, and Tampere University – threatened to discontinue and deport Kenyan students over fee arrears. This was after the county government failed to remit their fees after funds meant for the program were allegedly embezzled by senior county officials.
Laurea University, where Kipruto studied, had put on hold the studies for 67 Kenyan students pursuing nursing and physiotherapy until the tuition fees for the second semester are paid. The university warned that information about the terminated right to study would automatically flow to the Finnish Immigration Service through electronic systems, which will be followed by canceling the residence permits before the deportation of the affected students.
The scholarship scandal is under investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and three county officers are on suspension.
