President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned NYS officials against pocketing money meant for youths in the service. He said it was regrettable that certain individuals take resources meant to empower the youth for their personal use.
The President spoke at a time former NYS bosses are in court over the loss of millions of shillings at the agency. “We will do everything in our power to ensure that the culpable pay the price and return the stolen resources,” Uhuru said.
No individual will get away with embezzling public resources. Everyone who has pocketed funds meant for empowering our young men and women at the @NYS_Ke must be held accountable. We have invested for the development of this nation, not for self gain #NYSTrueToCountry pic.twitter.com/7ACBI4lLzh
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) November 16, 2018
He made the remarks during a pass out parade for NYS servicemen in Gilgil on Friday.
Former Youth PS Lillian Omollo, former director general Richard Ndubai, and 35 others have been charged with theft of Sh226 million NYS funds. Uhuru said the diversion of resources to a few individuals must come to a stop ‘at all costs’.
“I want to promise you that we will not and we cannot continue this kind of behavior of people taking procurement money for their own use.”
“We must ensure that we utilise the resources that Kenyan tax payers have bestowed upon us,” the president said.
We do not champion the cause of youth opportunity and hope as a favour to them, but rather as the necessary, undeniable, embrace of our collective future. That’s why we’re called to give each of our children the chance to make the most of their talents. @NYS_Ke #NYSTrueToCountry pic.twitter.com/BDHSYTC2q7
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) November 16, 2018
To solve the problem, Uhuru asked MPs to speed up the legislation of a Bill seeking to transform the NYS into a state corporation. He said the measures in the proposed National Youth Service Bill, 2018 will allow the NYS perform its role with vigour and integrity.
“The National assembly should fast-track the approval. Let us pass the Bill now and have it enacted.”
The Bill states that an 11-member board with strong State representation will oversight the scandal-ridden National Youth Service.
The proposed Bill is part of Uhuru’s strategy to seal loopholes exploited by top NYS insiders to loot billions of shillings. It was tabled by Majority Leader Aden Duale.