The National Youth Service has issued a formal response to audit-related claims concerning stalled projects, financial mismanagement and questionable asset valuations.
According to NYS director general James Tembur, the audit issues in question refers to the 2019–20 financial year and does not reflect the institution’s current status.
He said assertions that NYS is dysfunctional are inaccurate and based on outdated information.
Addressing concerns over allegedly stalled projects, Tembur said the projects cited were initiated during the 2013–14 financial year and have since been completed, certified, and are in use.
He said documentation confirming completion is available.
In particular, he addressed the reported Sh192 million kitchen and barracks project in Ruaraka and the Sh49 million housing units in the Industrial Area, saying both were finalised several years ago and are not abandoned, as claimed.
On the issue of pending bills, Tembur acknowledged that NYS has a historical debt of Sh16 billion, mostly accrued between 2013 and 2018.
He said Sh10 billion of this amount is undergoing verification by the National Treasury’s Pending Bills Verification Committee, while Sh6 billion is under review by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
He said since 2019, NYS has not accumulated new pending bills.
Regarding Sh315 million in refundable deposits from youth who participated in the 2014–15 Youth Empowerment Programme, Tembur explained that many used the identification details of parents or guardians to open bank accounts, complicating efforts to trace them.
Despite attempts to reach the beneficiaries through local administrators, a significant number could not be located.
He said, with approval from relevant oversight agencies, the funds were transferred to the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority.
The Auditor General’s report had flagged the funds as unaccounted for, citing a lack of proof of payments and suggesting possible diversion.
Tembur also addressed land ownership issues, stating that NYS holds 60 parcels of land, not 58 as indicated in the audit.
He said 48 of these now have title deeds or allotment letters, and claims regarding missing ownership documentation are incorrect.
He said efforts to formalise remaining land titles are ongoing.
On asset management, the NYS head said concerns over unsupported valuations amounting to Sh742 million and a lack of tagging systems have been addressed through internal reforms and asset verification exercises, aimed at improving accountability and record keeping.
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