President Kenyatta Signs into Law Bill Making NYS a Corporate Entity

President Kenyatta has on Monday signed into law the National Youth Service (NYS) Bill that seeks to restore the image of the scandal-ridden State agency.

The Bill now becomes the NYS Act and turns the youth agency into a corporate entity, meaning it can now undertake commercial activities.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Prof. Margaret Kobia says looting of funds from NYS will be a thing of the past following the signing of the law.

“The ministry is very happy with the new law. It will specifically strengthen the financial and procurement controls at the service bloated with corruption in the recent past,” says Kobia.

Ms. Kobia says the law makes NYS a strong outfit with clear internal controls including a 12-member council to oversee its management. An auditor will also be appointed to track use of public funds at the agency.

A chairperson appointed by the President will head the 12-member team whose main roles include policy formulation, oversight, and general administration. The delinking also allows NYS to stand by itself by engaging in income-generating activities.

The agency has lost billions of shillings in the past few years through fictitious contracts and illegal transactions.

President Uhuru has also assented into six other Bills among them the Building Surveyors Bill of 2017, the Health Laws (Amendment) Bill of 2018, the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill of 2018, the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill of 2018, the Capital Markets (Amendment) Bill of 2018 and the County Allocation of Revenue (Amendment) Bill of 2018.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka as well Attorney General Paul Kihara, Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai and Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye witnessed the signing at State House, Mombasa.