CS Sicily Kariuki warns politicians against NYS projects

Public Service and Youth Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki (centre) during the launch of community youth service at Kangaru School in Manyatta constituency on Monday.  (Photo:JOSEPH MUCHIRI/STANDARD)

Youth Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki has cautioned against the politicisation of the relaunched National Youth Service (NYS) community projects.

Ms Kariuki said the Government had learnt from the failures of the pilot programme and will ensure that the new one is a success.

The CS said they would not allow the programme to be used as a tool to advance political gains, saying it is an empowerment programme that has benefited many youths since its inception.

"NYS is not a political programme but rather an empowerment one. Instead of fighting it, let's support it based on the benefits we stand to gain," she said during the re-launch of the project in Manyatta constituency, Embu County.

The pilot programme that lasted about nine months in 72 constituencies had been embroiled in corruption allegations, with leaders accusing top NYS officials of using the programme to loot.

She said in the 72 constituencies, youths had saved more than Sh930 million and called on them to use the savings to establish enterprises.

Ms Kariuki said in the new restructuring, payment will be on a weekly basis through Saccos using a visa card and not using Safaricom's Mpesa as the case was before.

The CS announced the money collected from the youths as savings amounting to Sh930 million would be channelled to six Saccos that have already been registered, in the next two weeks.

She said members will be able to access their savings and called on the youth to use the savings to open businesses as a form of empowerment.

She said experts will train the youths on entrepreneurship, life skills and patriotism so as to stop being earners of wages and become owners of capital.

Manyatta MP John Muchiri called for employment of more youths in the constituency, saying it hosts the county headquarters and has many educational and health institutions compared to other constituencies in the county.

Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire urged NYS to ensure payment is on time to reduce cases where the youth protest in the streets demanding their pay.

About 1,350 youths have been registered in Runyenjes and another 1,350 in Manyatta constituencies.

The programme was also launched in Mbeere South and North constituencies.