Kenya’s National Youth Service faces a new Sh6.2 billion ghost supplies scandal. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission says companies used forged invoices to claim payment for goods that never reached the NYS. The case goes back to supplies between 2013 and 2016.
An anti-corruption court recently extended orders freezing the payments until February 2, 2026. This stops any money going out while investigators look deeper.
The EACC filed the case late last year. They claim over 1,500 fake documents were submitted. These included orders and delivery notes for food, equipment and other items that did not exist.
The total amount adds up to Sh6,167,797,655. Investigators say some NYS officials worked with the suppliers to push the claims through. The probe started after audits flagged old pending bills.
Businessman Ben Gethi Wangui features in the allegations. He is linked to several companies that claimed large sums. Reports say his firms sought about Sh3.4 billion.
Gethi was involved in the 2015 NYS scandal where hundreds of millions went missing. He faced charges then but got acquitted in some parts. Now his name comes up again in these old claims.
The suppliers fight back. They say the goods were delivered and payments are due. Their lawyers argue the EACC evidence is weak. Some point to advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions that did not support charges at first. The companies asked the court to lift the freeze so they can get paid. The judge declined and gave more time for the case.
This scandal ties to past problems at NYS. In 2015, over Sh791 million disappeared in fake contracts. That led to arrests and resignations, including from cabinet secretary Anne Waiguru.
Reforms followed, but pending bills from those years kept coming up. The current claims cover a similar period. Auditors found many invoices lacked proper backing.
The court hearing brought out details. EACC officers testified about mismatched records. They said some delivery notes came from unofficial printers. Suppliers showed their own documents to the counter. The judge wants more proof before deciding on the money.
Public reaction has been strong. Many Kenyans remember the earlier losses. Social media posts call for full recovery of any stolen funds. Others say old cases drag on too long. Taxpayers foot the bill if payments go through without cheques.
NYS runs programmes for youth training and public works. It employs thousands and handles big budgets. Scandals hurt its image. Leaders promise better controls now. The service has new management and digital systems for supplies.
No one has been charged yet in this round. The freeze protects the funds. If proven fake, the money stays with the government. Suppliers risk losing if courts rule against them.
The next hearing is set for early February. Both sides will bring more evidence. The case could take months. It shows how old corruption claims keep surfacing. Kenyans watch to see if justice comes this time.
This update follows court moves in January 2026. The amount is large for a public body. Recovery would help youth projects. For now, the money stays frozen.
