Senators want NYS cash sent to counties

A group of senators have questioned a proposal to retain a Sh6.3 billion budgetary allocation for the National Youth Service at the Devolution ministry.

The senators want the funds set aside in the proposed 2015/16 Budget channelled to county governments, saying NYS personnel would be undertaking county functions.

They are also worried that some counties may suffer discrimination should the discretion on use of the funds be left with the Devolution Cabinet secretary.

“The governors should be in control of the funds. They can release the funds when the youths go to their counties to undertake projects,” said Dr Boni Khalwale (Kakamega, UDF).

Mr Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni, Wiper) said keeping the funds with the national government would particularly disadvantage regions that support the Opposition.

“If the money will be used to construct water pans and dams, why leave the discretion to the national government to decide where to undertake the training?” Mr Kilonzo said yesterday during a public session at County Hall, Nairobi.

He said the Constitution requires that NYS trainees be picked in the counties, hence the funds should be managed by the county governments for easy coordination.

TRAINING NEEDS

Treasury Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge said the funds were for training of the NYS, which falls under the national government.

“I don’t see why the money should go to county governments,” said Dr Thugge.

He said it would be upon the Devolution ministry to come up with an equitable way of utilising the funds to meet the national expectations.

Last September, President Kenyatta presided over the relaunch of NYS, whose training scope has been expanded to include self-reliance skills.