The quiet town of Gilgil, known for its disciplined paramilitary training academy, was rocked by a sweeping anti-corruption operation that has unearthed what investigators are calling “one of the largest embezzlement scandals in recent public history.”
On Wednesday 7 May 2025, officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission descended on the homes and offices of senior officials of the National Youth Service, acting under court-issued search orders.
In a terse but revealing statement,the EACC, confirmed the raid.
“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission conducted a successful investigative search at the residences and offices of senior officials at the National Youth Service and their proxies.”
At the heart of the scandal are explosive allegations of the misappropriation of over KSh2 billion. The money, meant for youth empowerment and training under the NYS banner, was allegedly siphoned off through elaborate procurement fraud and fictitious contracts spanning five financial years, from 2019 to 2025.
The named suspects read like a who’s who of NYS leadership and their close networks. Among them are Nicholas J. Makokha, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations and Logistics; David Muthee Mbogo, Head of Supply Chain Management at the Gilgil Paramilitary Academy; and Joseph Maina Kagiri, the Camp Accountant. But the corruption trail did not end with NYS staff—it extended to spouses, siblings, and close associates.
David Muthee Mbogo’s personal circle appears to have played a key role. His wife Felista Wanjiru Wandugi, his second spouse Winfred Cherotich Towett, his brother Elias Muthee—a director of Marvel Hotel and his proxy Naftali Kaberu, along with Kaberu’s wife Florence Muthoni Karanja, have all been listed as persons of interest.
The scheme, according to investigators, involved blatant “conflict of interest and abuse of office“ by NYS officials who allegedly used front companies to win inflated tenders. The EACC reports that these officials “traded with the NYS through various companies, resulting in payments of a total of KSh2 Billion” , a staggering amount that raises questions about past audit oversights.
Inside sources revealed to Kurunzi News that during the operation, which spanned several counties, “valuable evidentiary material” was seized, including financial records, property titles, luxury vehicles, and documentation related to offshore accounts. All suspects were promptly escorted to the Integrity Centre in Nairobi for interrogation and statement recording.
One senior EACC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “What we are seeing is systemic corruption—one where public servants colluded not just with each other, but with their own families to loot state funds. It was organized, deliberate, and deeply rooted.”
The financial rot appears to have been masked through layers of shell companies and forged invoices for services never rendered. Contracts for construction, food supply, and equipment procurement were found to be either inflated or nonexistent.
According to sleuths, the next phase of the investigation will determine the fate of the accused. “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.”
