Speaking during a media briefing, Mutua said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had launched a manhunt after the suspects allegedly vanished shortly after receiving the funds under a programme designed to facilitate overseas job placements.
The CS termed the incident a serious betrayal of public trust and a devastating blow to hundreds of youths who had pinned their hopes on the initiative.
According to Mutua, the funds were released to support recruitment logistics, training, and placement of Kenyan youths in foreign labour markets, part of the government’s broader strategy to tackle unemployment and expand legal labour migration.
However, the couple allegedly failed to account for the money and went underground, raising alarm within the ministry and among affected beneficiaries.
This money was not for personal use. It was meant to open doors for young people seeking dignified work abroad,” Mutua said, adding that preliminary investigations indicate the funds may have been misappropriated soon after disbursement. He urged the suspects to surrender to authorities, warning that the law would catch up with them.
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The CS also reassured youths who had enrolled in the programme that the government was taking steps to safeguard their interests.
He said the ministry was working closely with investigators to recover the stolen funds and ensure that culpable individuals face justice.
Mutua used the incident to issue a stern warning to individuals and agencies involved in government funded employment programmes, saying accountability would be enforced without fear or favour.
He noted that stricter vetting and monitoring mechanisms were being put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Youth Enterprise Development Fund was established to empower young people through access to credit, skills development, and employment opportunities.
The alleged theft has reignited debate about oversight of public funds and the vulnerability of well intentioned youth programmes to abuse.
As investigations continue, the DCI has appealed to members of the public with information on the suspects’ whereabouts to come forward, as hopes remain that the missing millions can still be recovered and redirected to their intended purpose.
