The NYS scandal remains one of Kenya’s most shocking tales of theft, collusion, and abuse of public office. From mysterious additions of zeros inside IFMIS to fresh 2025 probes, the story keeps twisting. Nearly a decade later, the scandal still dominates conversations about corruption, accountability, and justice in Kenya.

The National Youth Service (NYS) was created to empower young Kenyans with training, jobs, and skills. Instead, it became a playground for corruption.

In 2015, the first scandal broke when Sh791 million vanished. Investigators discovered that insiders manipulated the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). With just a few added zeros, they inflated figures on 25 vouchers.

Businesswoman Josephine Kabura, through her multiple companies, received hundreds of millions. Family Bank’s KTDA branch later processed massive withdrawals, raising questions about the banking sector’s oversight.

The NYS scandal roped in powerful figures:

These names captured headlines, though the courts later gave mixed rulings.

Kenya’s public grew frustrated as some walked free while others faced long jail terms.

Family Bank became the first Kenyan bank punished for its role in the NYS scandal. In 2018, it admitted failing to flag suspicious transactions. The bank paid a fine of Sh64.5 million under a plea agreement with the DPP.

This case prompted banks to tighten their anti-money laundering controls, demonstrating that financial institutions play a significant role in either enabling or preventing corruption.

The NYS scandal refuses to die.

In mid-2025, the EACC raided the homes of senior officials over a Sh2 billion NYS fraud. Investigators said family companies and proxies won fake tenders at NYS colleges. Some goods were overpriced, others never delivered.

Even after earlier convictions and acquittals, graft cartels continue mutating—proof that NYS remains vulnerable.

The scandal shows that, without accountability, corruption only recycles itself.

The NYS scandal is more than history—it’s a living reminder of what unchecked graft can do. Billions meant for Kenya’s youth became fuel for cartels. Convictions, acquittals, and fresh probes show the fight is still on.