Lang’ata Member of Parliament (MP) Phelix Odiwuor/ FILELang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o, has defended his proposal to make National Youth Service (NYS) training compulsory for Form Four leavers, arguing that there is a "breed" of young men who have become "too weak".
The legislator said many young people leave secondary school without acquiring life skills that prepare them for adulthood beyond academic knowledge.
According to Jalang'o, this has contributed to what he described as the emergence of a "breed of men" who are physically grown but ill-equipped to deal with life's responsibilities.
"There's also this breed of men who've just become too weak, too weaklings, and the only thing that maybe he knows well is maybe his followers on the online page," he said.
He argued that mandatory NYS training would expose school leavers to experiences that help build character before they proceed to universities, colleges or the job market.
Jalang'o said the country was gradually losing values such as self-discipline, responsibility and respect for others, qualities he believes could be nurtured through structured national service.
"There's something that is running away from our young people. Self-discipline, responsibility, respect, and just being in charge," he said.
The MP said becoming a responsible adult goes beyond traditional rites of passage, arguing that young people should also be taught practical life skills and resilience.
He said a responsible man should be able to take care of himself, respect elders and remain steadfast during difficult circumstances.
"There's something about a real man who knows how to spread his bed. There's something about a real man who knows how to leave the house and be the man out there in the street and be responsible," he said.
Jalang'o maintained that a six-month paramilitary-style programme at NYS could significantly change the mindset of school leavers by instilling discipline, patriotism and responsibility.
"I know very well a six-month paramilitary training could change a lot in how a young man who's left high school would be able to think. The psyche and everything," he said.
His remarks come a day after he disclosed that he is preparing legislation seeking to make NYS training mandatory for all students immediately after completing secondary school.
Under the proposal, Form Four leavers would undergo national service before joining universities, technical institutions or pursuing other career paths.
Jalang'o has argued that several countries, including Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, already have mandatory national service programmes and noted that Kenya previously operated a similar system.
The legislator said the proposed programme would expose young people to paramilitary training, vocational skills, leadership and civic responsibility while helping them transition into adulthood.
Currently, joining the NYS is voluntary.
Eligible applicants must be Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 24 years, possess a national identity card, attain at least a D (plain) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), pass medical and physical assessments and obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct.
Successful recruits undergo six months of physical and paramilitary training before progressing to national service assignments and later technical and vocational training.
