Investigations into the loss of more than 1.8 billion shillings in the National Youth Service (NYS) scandal is, according to Ben Gethi, a suspected beneficiary, an attempt to cover up and shield powerful individuals including former Devolution Cabinet Secretary, Ann Waiguru. Gethi told the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that the investigations were reactive and accuses the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of ordering a forgery to implicate him.
Gethi believes nothing will come out of the on-going court process. He was born in Garissa in 1984 and came to the city about 10 years ago to hustle after failing to secure a job with his Economics Diploma. He would land on a lucrative phones and accessories business. 
At the age 32, Gethi is already an affluent businessman and by his own admission, has joined the league of billionaires. He, however, faces an uphill task of clearing his name following allegations that he was one of the key beneficiaries of the NYS scandal. “One one day, you carried and deposited Ksh 40 million, another day Ksh 14 million and another one Ksh 10 million in cash. My friend, we have the privilege of talking to other people, and money was in the air, you happen to have huge amounts in your hands,” said Mbalambala MP, Abdikadir Aden.
“This is money that has been generated from hard work and businesses. The retail business is cash intensive. I can carry Ksh 20 million comfortably,” countered Gethi. He says NYS contracted his company, Horizon Enterprises Limited, to supply oil and lubricants and won another tender to supply food commodities through yet another company he owns called Ratego Technologies.
“How much were you paid for the fuel business?” posed Maara MP, Kareke Mbiuki. “The total amount that has been paid so far is Ksh 500 million. If all was to be paid, we would be talking about another figure all together,” stated Gethi. “Could you say that the Ksh 40 million did not come from the 791 million shillings?” asked South Mugirango MP, Manson Nyamweya.
“I can account for my business. What we have even in court is stories, nothing will come out of it. DPP asked Mugwanja to fake vouchers. This is a reactive investigation,” said Gethi. Gethi promises to lay out in camera details of the fabrications that have gone into the NYS scandal cover up and has been slotted to appear before the Parliamentary Accounts Committee again, Monday, October 10.
