Does Returning What You Stole Make You a Lesser Thief?

Last week, angry Kenyans took on social media platforms, especially Twitter, called for the arrest of the famous, self-appointed ‘tyranny of numbers’ prophet, Mutahi Ngunyi.

Two hashtags ruled Twitter the better part of last week. These hashtags were #ArrestNgunyiForNYSFraud and #SueAllOfUsNgunyi.

It all started when Mutahi Ngunyi indicated that he was ready to refund more than 11 million shillings paid to him by the National Youth Service (NYS).

It is said that Ngunyi was part of the team that provided direction to NYS in laying down direction on how the organization had to accomplish its goals.

It is during that time that more than 791 million shillings are said to have been looted. The then Cabinet Secretary for Devolution, Anne Waiguru, first maintained that no money had been stolen for the transactions had been stopped but later came to confirm that 791 million shillings were missing but according to the Auditor General, more than one billion shillings from the NYS cannot be accounted for.

Kenyans on social media called for her resignation, investigation and then prosecution. The lady stayed put with the famous “Amos Kimunya’s” slogan “I’d rather die than resign.” She later stepped down citing health problems and advice from her “personal doctor”.

Read: Kenya Loses 50 percent of its Budget to Corruption – PKF East Africa

The resignation of Anne Waiguru set in motion a series of drama, comedy and confusion. At one time she was cleared of any wrong doing by the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission. But before even dust settled on the ground, a lady by the name Josephine Kabura dropped an affidavit that widely mentioned Waiguru. The EACC, then set in a confusion mode and unable to explain how it had cleared Waiguru, had to recall her, cancelled the earlier clearance and started “fresh investigations”.

The case seemed to be forgotten the moment Waiguru mentioned two of her initial defenders: The Leader of Majority in the National Parliament Adden Duale and the Senator for Elgeyo Marakwet Kipchumba Murkomen. The once vocal defenders of Waiguru now declared war against her.

Drama ensured once again when it emerged that the Chair to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Phillip Kinisu, is also a beneficiary of the NYS looted millions. It is said that his company was paid more than 200 million shillings for services not rendered to NYS. Kinisu maintains he is innocent and that people are witch-hunting him, but who doesn’t know how corrupt Kenyans often defend themselves?

It is not Kinisu alone, even his deputy, Michael Mubea is said to have been paid more than 50 million shillings in order to “kill” investigations into NYS. And now, the revelation of Ngunyi that he will return the 11 million paid to him, does it mean that he was paid illegally?

1. Who looted the NYS millions?

2. Who will help Kenyans unravel the NYS riddle?

3. Will anyone be ever brought to book for stealing from poor Kenyans?

Meanwhile, the NYS season six continues. We do not know when we shall have the Season Finale. Every day, the script receives a new twist and new characters are added. All we can do is sit back and enjoy the drama as it unfolds.