After being thrown into disarray following a string of corruption allegations, the National Youth Service (NYS) empowerment programme in Kibera is back.
The programme had stalled following the resignation of Devolution Cabinet secretary Anne Waiguru over suspected theft of Sh791 million of NYS funds, leaving hundreds of youth in Kibera and other slums where it had been initiated bereft of short-lived hope for earning a livelihood.
The youth groups can now sigh with relief after Public Service and Youth Cabinet secretary Sicily Kariuki re-launched the programme in Kibera yesterday.
Hundreds of youth in Kibera, the launch pad of the nationwide youth empowerment programme, who had been recruited in January but had failed to commence work because of transition of the NYS docket from the Devolution ministry to Public Service and Youth ministry, have been recalled.
Wheelbarrows began moving, brooms sweeping alleys and garbage bags filled with detritus and litter propelling a wave of activity in the sprawling slum. Kariuki assured residents the empowerment programme would be closely-controlled to forestall another collapse due to mismanagement of funds and political interference.
“We have been gone for five months and we have learnt a lot from the period we have been away. We are now better prepared, more committed and more energised,” she said. “Never again shall we be careless to allow such a project to stall. This is project is meant to empower the youth,” the CS added.
This comes two weeks after the national re-launch of the empowerment programme by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 72 constituencies. Kariuki said the ministry has registered 147 Sacco societies from the pilot phase and plans to increase the number to 236 by the end of this month to help the beneficiaries of the programme to save.
Youth monies are currently held in an account in the National Bank of Kenya. Once the youth have formed saccos and held successful elections, money will then be transferred to their accounts. The sacco accounts are independent and NYS officials will have no control over the monies and its use upon transfer.
“These Saccos have made significant savings, currently standing at Sh990 million. Of this, Sh412 million is in sacco accounts in the bank while Sh572 million is under a secure account meant to safeguard it as a team looks to register more saccos, following which the money will be transferred,” said Kariuki.
The money was saved by the 86,936 youth participants better known as NYS cohorts, recruited in 69 constituencies countrywide to dig trenches, clear bushes, unclog drainages and repair roads. They had been contracted for three months from August to October as part of the NYS Youth Empowerment Programme which went down with Waiguru’s exit. Kibera youths had saved more than Sh113 million in their respective Saccos.
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