Police have arrested the head of the National Youth Service as part of investigations into the Ksh 9 billion scandal.
Despite President Uhuru Kenyatta’s pledges to stamp out graft when he was first elected in 2013, critics say he has been slow to pursue top officials, adding that only big-name convictions will break what they call a culture of impunity.
Citizen Television and K24 TV said Director General, Richard Ndubai, had been arrested, along with an unspecified number of officials.
The funds were reportedly lost through fictitious invoices, and multiple payments on one supplier invoice, at the NYS.
Reuters could not contact Ndubai, who is in custody, for comment, and was unable to immediately trace contacts for his lawyer to seek comment.
The reports have dismayed many Kenyans, particularly as they come in the wake of a 2015 scam at the agency, which aims to equip Kenya’s young people with key skills and help create jobs.
Last week, investigators summoned more than 40 people, including Ndubai, for questioning over the lost funds.
President Uhuru has blamed the slow progress in tackling corruption on the lethargy of some government agencies charged with rooting out graft.
Detectives said 13 of the suspects were arrested in Nairobi while four were rounded up in Naivasha, among them Ann Wanjiku who allegedly pocketed Sh59m after ‘supplying air’.
READ: NMG FIRES TOP MANAGERS OVER FRAUD
They were taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters for processing after passing the night at Muthaiga police station.
They are:
- Richard Ndubai – NYS Director-General
- Sam Michuki – Deputy NYS Director General
- Peter Muchui
- Matano Odoyo – NYS
- Sammy Mbugua
- Timothy Kiplangat Rotich
- Wellanalo Mulupi
- David Kirui
- Ferdinard Matavo
- Keziah Mwangi
- Duba Galgalo
- Isaiah Adalo Chopia
- James Thuita Nderitu – businessman
- Yvonne Wanjiku Ngugi – businesswoman
Youth Affairs PS Lillian Omollo surrendered to the police at DCI headquarters on Monday morning.
Credit: The Star/Reuters
