Kenyans are again staring at the possibility of losing billions in a fresh National Youth Service (NYS) scandal, this time linked to non-existent supplies and phantom expenditures.
Investigators revealed that over KSh 6.2 billion was nearly siphoned off for items that were never delivered or used—clothes that were never worn, food that was never consumed, diesel that was never burned, and boots that never touched the ground.
The case, however, faces a major roadblock as a standoff emerges between the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). While the EACC insists it has solid evidence implicating businessman Ben Gethi Wangui and other suspects, DPP Renson Ingonga has twice dismissed the allegations, claiming there is insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges.
This deadlock threatens to derail what could have been one of the most significant prosecutions in recent NYS history. Analysts note that the DPP’s repeated rejections could embolden suspects in corruption cases, undermining public confidence in accountability mechanisms.
Meanwhile, Kenyans remain frustrated, watching billions intended for public service teeter on the edge of being misappropriated with little recourse.
The clash highlights a persistent challenge in Kenya’s fight against corruption: investigative agencies may uncover wrongdoing, but without prosecutorial support, cases often stall.
Unless the EACC and DPP find common ground, this latest NYS scandal risks joining a long list of high-profile cases that fail to see the inside of a courtroom.
Kenyans are left questioning whether accountability in public finance will ever move beyond headlines and press statements to real legal consequences.
