Makokha back in the spotlight as new NYS probe raises concerns over repeated corruption links

For more than a year, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been quietly investigating a fresh financial scandal at the National Youth Service (NYS), marking the third major controversy to rock the institution in just a decade.

The prolonged probe underscores the persistent governance challenges that have continued to undermine public confidence in one of Kenya’s flagship youth empowerment agencies.

At the centre of the unfolding investigation is Mr Makokha, a figure now familiar to anti-corruption authorities.

This is the second time he has come under scrutiny in connection with alleged irregular dealings at NYS, raising concerns about recurring networks of influence and accountability gaps within the institution.

Investigators believe that Makokha may have acted as a proxy for a senior NYS official holding the rank of Senior Superintendent, facilitating questionable financial transactions on their behalf.

According to sources close to the inquiry, the scheme under investigation involves complex financial flows designed to conceal the identities of key beneficiaries.

By allegedly using proxies, senior officials may have sought to distance themselves from direct involvement, complicating efforts to trace responsibility.

However, EACC detectives appear determined to untangle the web, having spent months gathering documentary evidence and interviewing witnesses.

The latest scandal adds to a troubling pattern at NYS, where repeated cases of mismanagement and corruption have overshadowed its core mission of skills development and national service.

Each new revelation not only erodes public trust but also raises questions about the effectiveness of past reforms intended to safeguard public resources.

Attention is likely to focus on whether systemic weaknesses within NYS continue to enable such schemes, and whether those implicated will finally be held accountable.

The outcome could prove pivotal in shaping both institutional credibility and the broader fight against corruption in Kenya.