The National Youth Service (NYS) is set to increase its annual recruitment to 100,000 young people by 2028, with the government allocating Sh6.4 billion to expand training infrastructure and accommodate the anticipated rise in numbers.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the investment will support the expansion and re-engineering of NYS facilities as the service prepares to train up to 50,000 recruits at any given time.
The funds will be used to put up and improve classrooms, accommodation blocks, kitchens, workshops and administrative facilities at NYS centres across the country.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey during the passing-out of NYS recruits/NYSRuku revealed this on Friday during the passing-out parade of 15,361 NYS recruits at the Paramilitary Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, where he represented President William Ruto.
He directed the NYS Council to work closely with county governments and local communities to ensure the planned infrastructure projects are implemented in a coordinated and sustainable manner.
The latest cohort comprised 11,527 male recruits, 3,835 female recruits and 21 recruits with disabilities, all of whom completed six months of paramilitary training.
Ruku said the expansion of NYS was being undertaken alongside efforts to equip young people with technical and vocational skills that can improve their prospects for employment and entrepreneurship.
“The National Youth Service has become a pivotal institution in trade and technical skills development for young people from across the country,” Ruku said.
He said the service had also emerged as a pathway for addressing youth unemployment by linking graduates to opportunities both locally and abroad.
Over the past year, NYS has helped more than 12,760 graduates secure jobs in Kenya and overseas, with about 5,720 now working in countries including the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku with NYS Commandant General James Tembur inspects parade during the passing-out of NYS recruits/NYSThe employment drive is being implemented alongside government programmes such as Kazi Majuu and the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project.
Ruku said NYS was also expanding its production capacity, with the service having procured 50 large tipper trucks and 50 excavators.
The machinery is expected to strengthen NYS operations in construction and other productive activities as the service seeks to increase its contribution to national development.
NYS Commandant General James Tembur, on his part, hailed the recruits for their discipline, commitment and dedication throughout the six-month training, urging them to uphold the values they acquired as they begin the next phase of their service.
Beyond employment and skills development, NYS has also been involved in environmental conservation.
Ruku said the service had contributed to the planting of 71.8 million trees across the country in partnership with institutions including the Kenya Forest Service.
The initiative supports the government's target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
NYS is also developing its capacity in areas such as milling, construction, water bottling and agricultural production, with the aim of strengthening its self-sufficiency and expanding opportunities for trainees.
Ruku congratulated the graduates and urged them to use the discipline and skills acquired during their training as they transition into national service and technical skills development.
“I commend the NYS leadership for transforming the lives of these young people and preparing them to serve the nation,” he said.
He also commended the graduates for completing the rigorous six-month training, saying their discipline and skills would be important as they take up opportunities in national service and beyond.
