Members of Parliament have instructed the state corporations regulator to recover millions of shillings lost during the tenure of former National Youth Service (NYS) officials. The directive follows a review by the Auditor General highlighting financial mismanagement, including abandoned projects and irregular payments.

Accountability for Former NYS Leaders

The Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA), chaired by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, has called for personal liability of former accounting officers, finance chiefs, and board members responsible for the financial losses.

The committee’s report, covering FY 2019-20 to 2024-25, cites failure to recover public funds linked to incomplete construction projects and overpayments. It specifically highlights:

  • The abandoned double-span kitchen, dining hall, and barracks at NYS Engineering Institute in Ruaraka. Awarded in 2011 for Sh192 million, contractors were paid Sh186 million but left the site unfinished, with structures showing significant deterioration.
  • Overpayment of Sh1.94 million for a VIP stand at Gilgil College Parade Ground despite reduced project scope.
  • Unauthorized gratuity payment of Sh7.53 million to a former director general amid ongoing court proceedings.
  • Unnecessary recruitment of a Procurement Specialist on a two-year contract costing Sh6.7 million, with duties overlapping existing staff.

Land Encroachment and Management Concerns

The committee also raised alarms over approximately 2,247 hectares of NYS land across multiple locations, including Yatta, Mavoloni, and Athi River, that remain unfenced and vulnerable to encroachment. The current accounting officer has been ordered to implement a detailed land management plan within three months, incorporating boundary demarcation and continuous monitoring.

Further Investigations and Legal Actions

MPs have urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to initiate legal proceedings against a former accounting officer over irregularities in the sewerage works at the NYS Training Institute in Naivasha, where contractors received 58% of contract value before abandoning the project.

The committee has also called for investigations into payments totaling Sh99.7 million made to trainers and lecturers not registered on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Database (IPPD).

Calls for a Financial Turnaround Strategy

To address persistent financial challenges, MPs have directed the current NYS accounting officer to present a comprehensive turnaround strategy to Parliament. This plan should focus on enhancing budgeting, financing, and overall financial sustainability.

Additionally, an inquiry into the protection and ownership of NYS land held by various ministries and agencies is recommended to safeguard public assets from further encroachment.

These measures underscore Parliament’s growing emphasis on enforcing accountability and curbing governance failures within state corporations.