5 Corruption Scandals That Have Rocked President Uhuru's Government in 2018

President Uhuru Kenyatta's second term in office has been rocked by a series of corruption scandal exposés in various ministries, with Kenyan taxpayers having lost billions in stolen public funds.

In 2018, at least five scandals have been unearthed bringing to the fore the extent to which corruption has permeated the highest levels of government.

The one scandal that has so far garnered national attention is the Sh9 Billion National Youth Service (NYS) scam that has seen 17 people including NYS Director-General Richard Ndubai arrested.

Questions have been raised on the role of the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS) in the loss of public funds with many calling for it to be reviewed, while others call for harsher penalties to be meted out on those found guilty of engaging in corruption.

Below are five of the biggest revelations on corruption that have emerged in 2018:

1. National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB)

The Ksh1.9 Billion scam was brought to the limelight when NCPB MD Newton Terer resigned, five senior managers were suspended and 59 members of staff put under investigation.

A well-connected cabal of traders, some of whom are not registered as farmers, were accused of supplying large quantities of cheap, imported maize at the expense of Kenyan farmers who were turned away at depots.

[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta with DP William Ruto"][/caption]

The scandal has sparked a furore with lawmakers such as Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter alleging that the executive had installed puppets in parliamentary committees to hinder investigations into the case.

2. Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF)

Seven officials of YEDF were suspended in May after an internal audit flagged suspicious payments of more than Ksh10 Million to four youth groups.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has since launched investigations into the case.

The Youth Fund has previously faced major corruption scandals including in 2016 when then Chief Executive Bruce Odhiambo was at the centre of a Sh180 Million scam.

3. National Youth Service (NYS) 

The latest Ksh9 Billion NYS scandal shocked many as a Sh791 million scam at the same institution was one of the most damaging corruption exposés in President Kenyatta's first term.

So far, 17 people, including NYS Director-General Richard Ndubaihave been arrested while others such as Principal Secretary Lilian Mbogo Omollo have presented themselves to the DCI.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji is expected to expedite prosecution of several cases to do with the scandal in coming weeks.

4. National Tree-Planting Program

In one of the most recent scandals, an ambitious national tree-planting program targeting primary schools turned into a Sh2 Billion cash cow.

Launched by President Kenyatta, pupils were supposed to receive conservation training, nurseries were to be introduced in schools and 10 percent of all primary school land was to be converted to forest land.

Environment CS Keriako Tobiko revealed that he had forwarded a report on the same including the suspects' names to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

5. Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC)

A Sh647 million scandal at KPC saw the homes of several KPC officials raided.

They were allegedly involved in the flawed procurement of aircraft fuelling gadgets.

EACC chief executive Halakhe Waqo stated that the file would be forwarded to the DPP once investigations were complete.

[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta"][/caption]

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