Deputy President William Ruto Wants Looters in NYS, Maize Scandals Sent to Jail

Deputy President William Ruto wants government officials involved in the National Youth Service (NYS) and maize scandals sent to jail.

Speaking during a graduation ceremony at St Paul's Nyabururu TTC in Kisii on Friday, the Deputy President said those convicted should be handed stiff penalties.

"Those identified to have participated in the loss of billions of shillings in these scandals should be punished. No one should be spared," he said.

"Stiff penalties must be meted out to stop such acts. We cannot be losing money to corrupt individuals at the expense of the development of the country."

Ruto called on the Director of Public Prosecution, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and other state agencies to expedite the investigation process and bring the perpetrators to book.

"Relevant agencies are directed to apply their mandate and spare no effort to investigate, prosecute individuals who have misappropriated public funds."

"...and if found culpable, the courts should dispense swift justice," Ruto said 

The DP particularly questioned how an individual ended up pocketing millions of shillings by supplying several bags of maize to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) at the expense of farmers.

"How can one supply more than 200,000 bags to the National Cereals Board yet he or she has no land? Such a question needs an honest answer," the Deputy President said.