NAIROBI — The National Youth Service (NYS) has firmly denied claims that its buses transported individuals accused of causing violence during the Saba Saba protests in Naivasha.
In an official statement released Tuesday, NYS dismissed the allegations as false, misleading, and malicious. The reports, which circulated across social media and some news outlets, suggested that NYS vehicles ferried so-called “goons” under police escort to the protest sites.
“The National Youth Service wishes to categorically clarify and strongly dispute the false and misleading allegations circulating on various media platforms,” the statement read. “These allegations are not only baseless and malicious, but they are also meant to unjustly tarnish the reputation of the NYS.”
The protests, held on July 7, turned tense in parts of the country, with incidents of property damage and confrontations between demonstrators and police reported in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mwea, and Naivasha. Following the unrest, accusations surfaced online claiming that state resources, including NYS vehicles, had been misused to transport violent actors to disrupt the protests.
NYS Defends Institutional Integrity
The NYS Commandant General emphasized that the institution remains strictly apolitical and follows clear, accountable procedures in all operations.
“NYS personnel operate under strict command and accountability procedures. The movement of all NYS assets, including vehicles, is documented and subject to verification at any given time,” the statement said.
He added that there is no record of any NYS buses operating in Naivasha in connection to the July 7 events and that no evidence had been presented to support the allegations.
“Any attempt to associate NYS with criminal or politically instigated actions is a grave misrepresentation of our core values,” he said.
Public Urged to Verify Information
The NYS called on the public, political leaders, and media outlets to refrain from sharing unverified claims that could damage public institutions. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to national service, discipline, and peacebuilding, especially during periods of political tension.
The institution has not released details on whether it will take legal action against the sources of the false claims. However, it insisted that it welcomes any independent verification of its vehicle movement logs during the protest period.
The accusations remain unsubstantiated, and no official investigation has linked NYS to any wrongdoing related to the Saba Saba protests. The agency has requested that future criticism be grounded in verifiable facts.
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