Despite the challenges that the National Youth Service (NYS) programme has faced, President Uhuru Kenyatta says it has delivered some very clear and tangible successes.
Since 2013, he said the programme had employed over 91,334 cohorts spread over 21 Constituencies across the Country.
He said the programme had expended Sh5.4 billion of which Sh3.4 billion had been paid out as direct wages to those recruited, and balance gone towards savings.
Citing criticism from his critics following the Sh1.8 billion looted from the NYS kitty, a scam that was revealed in 2015, halting the NYS programme, Uhuru said it had transformed lives.
"As part of the cohort programme, we have given special emphasis to our young women, who through the Huduma Kitchen have received Sh365 million in financial support."
Through his government's support, the president noted the youth had organised themselves in to 300 Saccos, and successfully mobilised Sh1.4 billion in savings.
He further asked Kenyans to re-think of re-introducing the programme, and forget about the few, who were out to bring down the programme.
"I would like to urge Kenyans to draw a clear distinction between the positive impact of the NYS Programme and the deplorable mismanagement of the past orchestrated by individuals who were determined to railroad its success,'' he urged Kenyans.
The programme was available across major towns in the Country, before being called off.
Uhuru was speaking when addressing the nation during Kenya's 53rd Jamhuri Day fete, at the Nyayo National Stadium, Monday.