A damning report by the Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu casts a shadow over the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP), raising concerns about misused funds and limited impact on youth unemployment.

Launched in 2016 with the laudable aim of addressing youth unemployment through skills training, seed capital, and grants, KYEOP has disbursed Sh15 billion (US$134 million) to young entrepreneurs.

However, the Auditor-General's findings paint a troubling picture:

Opacity surrounds beneficiaries: Nearly half of the 553 beneficiaries sampled for the audit were untraceable, raising concerns about the validity of their businesses and the adequacy of monitoring protocols.

Overfunded ventures: Youths received grants exceeding their business plan requirements, casting doubt on the value proposition and suggesting potential misallocation of resources.

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Lax monitoring: The shift from continuous monitoring to sporadic spot checks hampered effective tracking of progress, allowing businesses to falter undetected.

Accountability vacuum: The "free money" mentality fostered by the project may have contributed to a lack of commitment and accountability among beneficiaries.

The report unveils a project riddled with mismanagement and weak controls, leading to questionable outcomes.

While KYEOP achieved its numerical target of reaching 87,432 youths, the Auditor-General concludes that "the primary objective of creating employment and boosting youth earnings opportunities may not have been fully realized."

To address these shortcomings, the report made the following recommendations:

Rigorous beneficiary screening and orientation: Ensuring commitment and understanding of responsibilities before disbursing funds.

Revolving fund implementation: Encouraging responsible fund usage and fostering a sense of accountability.

Robust monitoring and evaluation: Implementing robust systems to track progress and identify issues early on.

With youth unemployment posing a significant challenge in Kenya, the KYEOP's deficiencies demand immediate attention and a strategic overhaul. Implementing the Auditor-General's recommendations and ensuring stringent accountability are crucial steps towards a more effective and impactful youth employment program.