Richard Ndubai, a former public servant, has been sworn in as the new director general of the National Youth Service.
His predecessor Nelson Githinji stepped down in November 2015 to allow investigations into allegations of corruption in the service.
President Uhuru Kenyatta witnessed the swearing-in of Ndubai, who has also served as Permanent Secretary, at State House, Mombasa, on Tuesday.
Uhuru regretted that the NYS has fallen short of its requirements despite a passionate re-launch that resulted in high expectations by youths.
“The service, unfortunately, has engaged itself in issues that are unbecoming of those supposed mentor a new generation,” he said.
He said Ndubai's first order of business is to rid the service of people pulling it down.
“Ndubai, bring your experience as a public administrator and reputation to bear so we can achieve the objective of bringing our young people on board and make them part of the development agenda,” he said.
Uhuru ordered the resumption of the empowerment programme saying the aim is to empower youths for participation in nation building.
"I clearly state my own personal commitment to restarting the empowerment programme within the next two months,” he told Ndubai.
“My administration is keen on seeing this service re-introduce the core values it had and to once again re-engage young people."
The President said youth empowerment was the service's aim at Independence and still remains its core mandate.
He said his government will also ensure young people play a role in ensuring peace and stability through skills learned at the service.
Ndubia holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Havard University and a Bachelor of Commerce - accounting option - from the University of Nairobi.
He is due to graduate with a PHD in Performance Contracting, Measurement and Public Service Delivery from UoN.
He has undertaken numerous training courses and programmes including Certification in Corruption Prevention from the Marcus Evans Institute in Johannesburg, South Africa.
had been tipped to take over.