Fresh details emerging from an ongoing investigation have placed the National Youth Service under renewed scrutiny after a court moved to block a massive payout of public money.
The court issued orders stopping the payment of Sh6.2 billion to several firms linked to businessman Ben Gethi and other entities following allegations that the funds were connected to ghost contracts within the NYS.
The decision came after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission raised alarm over the legality of the payments.
In its court application, the EACC argued that the planned disbursement posed a serious threat to public resources.
Investigators told the court that the contracts in question appeared to have been irregularly awarded and did not meet basic procurement requirements. According to the commission, there was little or no evidence to show that the goods or services claimed under the contracts were ever delivered to the NYS.
The court was informed that the firms were close to receiving billions of shillings from government accounts despite gaps in documentation and procurement records.
This raised concerns about possible collusion among officials, abuse of office, and the use of fraudulent invoices to justify payments.
President William Ruto during the recent NYS parade pass out. Photo Courtesy/File
The EACC warned that once the money was released, it would be difficult to recover, especially if it was moved through complex financial channels.
After reviewing the application, the court agreed that allowing the payments to proceed could lead to irreversible loss for taxpayers. The judge noted that protecting public funds was a matter of public interest and said the money should remain frozen until the legality of the contracts is fully examined.
The orders will remain in force until investigations are completed and the court gives further directions.
The case has revived painful memories of past scandals at the National Youth Service. Over the past decade, the agency has been linked to multiple corruption cases involving inflated tenders, fake suppliers, and manipulated procurement systems. Billions of shillings have previously been lost, leading to public outrage and repeated promises of reform.
Despite assurances by successive governments that systems had been strengthened, the latest allegations suggest that weaknesses in oversight and internal controls may still exist. EACC officials say the current case mirrors earlier schemes where shell companies or firms with political connections were allegedly used to drain public funds through paperwork rather than actual service delivery.
The commission maintains that stopping the payments early is critical. It argues that this approach prevents suspects from benefiting from alleged wrongdoing before investigations are concluded and accountability is enforced.
The EACC has emphasized that the firms named in the case, including those linked to Ben Gethi, have not been found guilty and are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
The court orders represent a stronger and more proactive approach by the state, shifting focus from investigating losses after they occur to preventing them in the first place.
The case is also expected to test the government’s anti-corruption stance under President William Ruto’s administration, which has pledged zero tolerance for graft and greater protection of public funds.
