Controversial political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has opinionated in on the latest alleged KSh 10.5 billion National Youth Service (NYS) graft scandal that made the 2015 heist look line child's play. Ngunyi claimed he foresaw and warned of the second NYS looting scandal and that he predicted it would be bigger and messier, but no one cared to listen to him.
Mutahi Ngunyi was among the accused in the 2015 NYS scandal that led to loss of KSh 791 million. Ngunyi was dragged into the NYS mess by one Kabura who claimed he helped Waiguru .
The analyst denied the allegations, claiming Kabura's damning affidavit was made up. A report tabled before the Parliamentary Accounts Committee alleged Ngunyi's consultation firm engaged NYS in a KSh 90 million fraudulent contracts, claims that the analyst also rubbished. As for his remarks on the 2018 heist, the analyst could be right. If proven to be true, then the alleged KSh 10.5 billion NYS will be the biggest graft scandal in the history of the multi-billion youth empowerment programme.
And just like in the 2015 heist, the new NYS theft was also full of manipulation by the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), an automated system that is supposed to bring about efficiency in planning, budgeting, procurement, expenditure management and reporting in the national and county governments. Money was allegedly siphoned from the NYS coffers to personal accounts of individuals and through manipulation of the IFMIS.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Noordin Haji, had earlier stated that the initial probe at the NYS had netted a number of suspects including the big fish. "Many people are involved in this matter. Some of them are very senior government officials," Haji said. He added the new NYS theft scandal was a well orchestrated and sophisticated looting spree that spanned three years. Besides manipulating the IFMIS, there was also alleged gross and deliberate violation of procurement laws and processes in payment of pending bills. Investigations are still ongoing.