Deputy President William Ruto has asked Members of Parliament to review the decision to slash the National Youth Service (NYS) budget.
Speaking on Monday at Kasarani Stadium, Ruto termed the reduction of NYS budgetary allocation as a predicament that will affect youth empowerment programmes.
“NYS provides service to young people who are equipped with vocational skills and the challenges it has had should not be used to kill the institution,” he remarked.
[caption caption="Deputy President William Ruto consults Youth and Gender Affairs CS Margaret Kobia"]
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“I want to persuade Members of Parliament not to criminalise and demonise NYS because of the challenges it has had. NYS can be reformed, NYS will be reformed and we will make it compliant so that there is no more corruption,” he added.
He further stated the budget reduction has come at a time when the programme is being expanded.
The deputy president was presiding over the disbursement of Sh112.5 million to beneficiaries of Uwezo Fund, Youth Enterprise Fund, Women Enterprise Fund and National Government Affirmative Action Fund.
“Let us not punish the youth for the mistakes of some of us. Currently, there are 15,000 recruits in Gilgil and I assure you that NYS will soon be back and running,” Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia noted.
Prof Kobia revealed that NYS empowerment programme will be launched soon to improve the quality of life of youth.
MPs rejected a request by the NYS to be allocated Sh22 billion for its budget for the 2018/2019 financial year due to numerous scandals at the service.
The National Assembly Budget Committee recommended the NYS budget be slashed by Sh8.3 billion as a punitive action to discourage theft.
[caption caption="President Uhuru with NYS recruits"]
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