President Uhuru relaunches NYS empowerment programme

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday relaunched the National Youth Service (NYS), Youth Empowerment Programme with a warning that all officials charged with its implementation will be held liable for the loss of any money or resources.

The President said the programme was relaunched with strong mechanisms for detecting and preventing theft at all levels.

He said in the event of loss of money, it is not only heads of ministries or departments who will be targeted. The President cited procurement officers as some of those who will not be spared.

“We will not kill a programme because of a few individuals. Please, procurement officers, for your sake and your families’ sake, do not steal from the program,” said the President, who was accompanied by his deputy William Ruto.

President Kenyatta said the youth are the biggest resource the country has and no one should jeopardise the Government’s efforts to positively harness their strength.

“In God’s name look after this resources and look after this youth,” said the President, when he presided over the national relaunch of the programme at Marani in Kisii County.

Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki said the relaunched program will first finish pending projects and embark on more projects at the same time.

She added that new policies have been made to align the objectives of the NYS Youth Empowerment Project with the national goals of the Government.

She added that the program will focus on infrastructure, water and environment. The launch of the program was also witnessed by Kisii leaders headed Governor James Ongwae.