President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development to ensure recruitment of at least 20,000 young people into the National Youth Service (NYS) next year.
Speaking during the 88th NYS Passing-out Parade at the NYS College in Gilgil, Nakuru County, President Ruto also directed the institution to ensure recruits also acquire basic firearm training to reinforce the country’s security in times of need.
This year saw 14,602 young people undergo six months mandatory paramilitary training and technical and vocational training in various disciplines with the government now keen on expanding 2025 intake.
“To improve on the numbers as I have directed that the next recruitment will have 20,000 recruits, I have today approved the recruitment of 200 additional cadet officers into the NYS and 500 private officers to support in the exemplary work that is going on at the National Youth Service,” said President Ruto.
With intended expansion of its intake in 2025, President Ruto further instructed housing ministry to ensure there are additional hostels for 3000 recruits and housing for staff at the institution.
Kenyans who have gone through NYS training courses will further be given first priority in hiring of security personnel and other local and international job placements.
“I’m very happy to note that in the recruitment of our Kenya Wildlife Service officers, out of 790 officers recruited in the field, 447 were ex-NYS recruits, a 56pc overall leading to my directive that all security agencies must give first priority to our National Youth Service men and women because of their demonstrated discipline and capability and their paramilitary training,” said the President.
The Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior and National Administration will oversee the implementation of the directive to ensure paramilitary trainees acquire basic firearm training.
“Since its inception, the NYS training has remained a strategic programme for empowering the youth to gain skills for meaningful employment and national building,” said Justin Muturi. Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development.
The recruitment exercise for next year will target every ward across the country as the government seeks to transform operations of NYS to be a key player in delivering priority goals under the Bottoms-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
