The ghosts of the National Youth Service (NYS) scandals refuse to be buried. in a decisive move, the Anti-Corruption High Court has slammed the brakes on a massive payout of Sh6.2 billion to companies linked to controversial businessman Ben Gethi. Justice Benjamin Musyoki extended the freeze orders until March 3, 2026, ensuring that the public coffers remain sealed against what the EACC terms as "ghost suppliers."

This ruling is the latest chapter in a saga that has defined corruption in modern Kenya. Ben Gethi, a central figure in the NYS I scandal, finds his business empire once again in the crosshairs. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) contends that the monies claimed by Gethi's firms—including Horizon Ltd—are for goods that were never delivered, a classic "air supply" scheme.

The Judicial Shield

Justice Musyoki’s ruling is a reprieve for the taxpayer. The court has given Gethi, his six associated companies, and several absent NYS officials seven days to file their responses. The stern timeline indicates the court's unwillingness to let the matter drag on indefinitely while billions hang in the balance.

"The orders stopping payment remain in force," the Judge declared, effectively paralyzing any attempt to siphon the funds before the case is determined. For the EACC, this is a tactical victory. They argue that the procurement processes were riddled with fraud and that the contracts were mere vehicles for looting.

• The Figures: Sh6.2 billion is a staggering sum—enough to build several level 4 hospitals. The scale of the attempted heist remains shocking even by Kenyan standards.
• The Ghost Suppliers: The core of the EACC's case is that no value was exchanged. The "suppliers" were allegedly phantoms existing only on paper to facilitate theft.
• The Gethi Connection: Despite previous prosecutions, Gethi has remained a tenacious litigant. This case proves that the state is still actively fighting to recover or save assets linked to the scandal.

A Never-Ending Saga

The NYS scandal has become a symbol of impunity, but these court orders suggest that the wheels of justice, though creaky, are still turning. The extension of the freeze sends a warning to others involved in historical graft cases: the file is not closed.

As the March 3rd deadline approaches, the legal teams will be sharpening their arguments. But for the ordinary Kenyan, the headline is simple: Sh6.2 billion has been saved, at least for now, from disappearing into the pockets of the phantom suppliers.