Deplorable Situation in NYS After Ksh9 Billion Scandal Exposé

Months after a Ksh9 Billion scandal was unearthed at the National Youth Service (NYS), reports have now emerged that the institution has been crippled financially due to the ongoing probe.

According to the Nation, it is no longer business as usual in the Thika Road-based institution as operations have been grounded due to a financial crunch that has affected the running of its day-to-day activities.

The situation has caused an acute water shortage as there are unpaid bills to Nairobi Water Company with buildings hit by the shortage being the Institute of Business School, Holding Unit and Trust School.

“The staff are distressed, especially when they need to go to the toilets. They have to pay junior staff from their own pockets to keep the toilets usable. If you visit NYS, try and use toilets only on the fourth and fifth floor of the main administration building,” a source told the newspaper.

[caption caption="File image of NYS Recruits"][/caption]

Additionally, electricity has been disconnected leading to the usage of power generators.

The situation is bad to the point that recruits and cadets held demonstrations within the institution over poor services and unpaid allowances.

Additionally, the financial hurdle has affected the supply of dry rations to those on the field including biscuits, canned beef, canned beans, and canned pineapples.

NYS Acting Director James Tembur, however, refuted the claims adding that essential services were running normally.

“They were to disconnect power but we paid all the dues. We have our boreholes so there can never be a water problem. On dry food rations, we only get them when we have activities in the field,” he was quoted by the Nation.

As auditors and anti-corruption detectives investigate NYS finances, the National Assembly Budget Committee earlier in the month proposed the slashing of the institution's budget from Ksh22 Billion to Ksh8.5 Billion.

At the same time, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale pleaded with Parliament to consider allocating Ksh4 billion more to the embattled Service.

[caption caption="President Uhuru with NYS recruits"][/caption]

The legislator warned that operations in the NYS could soon be grounded unless the allocation to the youth agency was enhanced.

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