Anxiety as Kisumu NYS projects fail to kick off as scheduled

Some of the Youth in Kisumu working with National Youth. (PHOTO: FILE)

KENYA:  Anxiety has gripped beneficiaries of the National Youth Service (NYS) projects after planned works failed to kick off as scheduled.

The beneficiaries who turned up for the jobs were yesterday turned away by their supervisors and told that the commencement date of the works had been pushed to October 12.

The projects, which employed over 5,000 youths from Manyatta, Nyalenda and Obunga slums, were put on hold two weeks ago in what the authorities termed as a 'short recess' and were expected to resume Monday.

The youths have been involved in cleaning the slums, desilting drainage systems, repair and upgrade of roads.

The next phase is expected to see the construction of 23 toilets, clinics, police posts, posho mills, and poultry units, 13 fish ponds and 23 model houses.

However, the future of the projects hangs in the balance after the confusion yesterday, as there was no clear communication over the next move.

Divided leadership

Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura admitted that the commencement date for the works was not clear following the push and pull from area leaders who are divided in opinion regarding the projects.

The confusion comes amid corruption claims in the Ministry of Devolution over alleged loss of Sh790 million meant for NYS.

A section of Opposition leaders have been calling for Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru to step aside in order to pave way for investigations into the lost funds.

Some leaders have also called for the scrapping of the projects claiming that the youths were duplicating what is done by the county government staff.

Mr Obura told The Standard that the constant wrangles among leaders over the projects contributed to the unceremonious halt.

"As you know, there are several leaders from the area who have publicly opposed the projects and have raised a lot of questions. Several beneficiaries have been inquiring what next for the projects but we are also watching what happens," said Obura.

A beneficiary, Samson Ouma, said: "I came to work as had been communicated two weeks ago but I am disappointed that we have to wait for another two weeks, which is not also clear."

Nyando Member of Parliament Fred Outa who has publicly opposed the projects insisted that all the questions raised on the projects must be answered before the leaders can give them a green light.

He said there were individuals who were using the NYS projects to make money in the name of empowering the youth.

"It is not Outa who is opposing the projects. Corruption in the ministry was self-confessed by the CS and what we want is clarity on the funds before works at the project can continue," said Mr Outa.

He added: "We have questioned the list of beneficiaries of these projects and the nature of the Sacco they are said to be registered in, as we are aware that the said beneficiaries have not subscribed to any Sacco of that nature."