The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday, May 7, launched a major operation targeting senior officials at the National Youth Service (NYS) suspected of embezzling public funds amounting to Ksh2 billion.
In a statement, the anti-graft agency conducted searches at the residences and offices of the implicated officers and their alleged proxies in a sweeping move to gather critical evidence.
The EACC confirmed the search was part of ongoing investigations into massive corruption at the NYS, particularly at its Gilgil Paramilitary Academy.
Among those targeted in the investigation are Nicholas J. Makokha, Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations and Logistics, David Muthee Mbogo, Head of Supply Chain Management at the Gilgil Academy, and Joseph Maina Kagiri, the Camp Accountant at the same institution.
Also named in the probe are several individuals believed to be close associates or relatives of the main suspects, including Felista Wanjiru Wandugi and Winfred Cherotich Towett, both spouses of Mbogo, Elias Muthee, his brother and a director of Marvel Hotel, Naftali Kaberu, described as a proxy of Mbogo, and Florence Muthoni Karanja, Kaberu’s wife.
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The EACC revealed that the operation was part of an inquiry into allegations of conflict of interest, procurement fraud, and abuse of office by senior NYS officials.
"The operation, which was pursuant to court orders, is part of ongoing investigations in the National Youth Service in relation to the following allegations of conflict of interest and abuse of office against several senior National Youth Service officials who traded with the NYS through various companies, resulting in payments of a total of Ksh2 billion between the Financial Years 2019/2020 and 2024/2025," the statement read.
According to EACC, the suspects are accused of exploiting their positions of trust to embezzle public funds through collusion and payment for fictitious contracts.
"The suspects allegedly abused their positions of trust and authority to embezzle public funds through collusion, procurement fraud, and payment for fictitious contracts," the statement added.
Following the raid, the officials and associates were escorted to the EACC headquarters at the Integrity Centre in Nairobi for questioning and statement recording.
The agency said the outcome of the investigations will determine the next course of action, which may include prosecution and the recovery of ill-gotten wealth.
"Following the operation, the suspects were escorted to the EACC Offices at the Integrity Centre for statement recording. Today’s operations has yielded valuable evidentiary material that will support the ongoing investigations.
"Upon completion of the inquiry, the outcome will inform appropriate action, including prosecution of any culpable persons and/or recovery of unexplained wealth or proceeds of corruption," the statement concluded.
