‘Previous scandals continue to haunt us’ says NYS DG Matilda Sakwa

SIAYA,Kenya, Sep, 10 – Leaders at the helm of the National Youth Service (NYS) following changes in recent years are seeking to reinvigorate the service and change public perception for the better following years of scandals that have tainted the image of the service.

NYS Director General Matilda Sakwa expressed frustration over the reputation of the service in recent years saying that despite the lingering scandals, the service still has more to offer to Kenyans.

“NYS is not about those scandals, that was a small part and a terrible part whih we do not want to repeat. There are so many nice things about NYS,” said Sakwa.

Sakwa spoke during the ground breaking ceremony at the proposed NYS camp in Ugunja Sub County, in Siaya further stating that parliament has for instance doubted its capacity to prudently manage allocated resources.

“Past mistakes have cost the service a lot in terms of budgeting but I am confident that we are slowly changing with the new leadership at the helm,” she said.

The NYS director General has meanwhile called on parents to enroll their children to the service saying that after they undergo the paramilitary training, the government will sponsor them to undertake technical and vocational training that will set them out on different career paths.

“I am proud to note that in the short span madam DG has been in office, a lot of transformation has happened nd why we have is a new NYS and we hope it continues to grow into a much bigger institution for the benefit of this country,” said Ugunja Member of Parliament, Opiyo Wandayi.

Wandayi further said that he will seek to introduce a motion that would make it mandatory for any Kenyan youth attaining 18 years to undergo NYS training.

The legislator said there was need to expand the NYS and increase its capacity and budget to enable the service to adequately play its role in the society.

“As we speak, it is still a sleeping giant. It needs to be woken up through resources and capacity enhancement so that it can continue to support our youth and society in general,”