Government unveils plan to commercialise NYS for youth jobs and skills
The government is establishing the National Youth Service Enterprise and Services Company, which will serve as the Service’s commercial arm.
The government has unveiled plans to commercialise the National Youth Service (NYS) as a strategy to create employment for young people, enhance skills development, and strengthen accountability, with the National Youth Service Enterprise and Services Company set to transform NYS resources into revenue-generating ventures.
Speaking before the Senate on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, outlined how the commercialisation initiative will optimise NYS assets, including personnel, machinery, land, and ongoing projects, to generate sustainable jobs and economic value.
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“The government’s plan seeks to make NYS self-sustaining and capable of creating employment opportunities for young people through structured enterprise engagement,” said CS Ruku. “We are optimising the Service’s capacity to deliver both economic and social value.”
The CS explained that the NYS Act, 2018, established the Service as a uniformed, disciplined, and corporate entity mandated to engage in commercial enterprises aligned to its training and empowerment objectives. He added that the commercialisation agenda is guided by Presidential directives, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV 2023–2027), all aimed at transforming NYS resources, including personnel, machinery, land and projects into productive assets that generate revenue and sustainable jobs.
CS Ruku disclosed that the government is establishing the National Youth Service Enterprise and Services Company, which will serve as the Service’s commercial arm. The company, currently in the approval and registration process, will implement business plans across sectors such as mechanisation, construction, agriculture, agro-processing, textiles, hospitality, and security services.
He added that a commercialisation matrix will be developed to monitor performance, investments, and outcomes across all NYS ventures, while partnerships with both public and private stakeholders will enhance market access, technology transfer, and innovation.
Addressing youth employment, CS Ruku said the initiative is expected to create jobs for thousands of young people, particularly from marginalised regions, by linking technical training, entrepreneurship, internships, and accredited certifications to actual production and market opportunities.
“This structured approach will ensure that youth gain long-term employability and self-reliance,” he said.
On transparency and accountability, the CS assured the Senate that robust governance measures have been put in place to prevent past financial improprieties.
He explained that the NYS Council continues to provide oversight, reporting to the Principal Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development. Additionally, the National Treasury has developed regulations for establishing NYS Enterprises and Services Limited under the Companies Act to manage commercial ventures within a legally sound and transparent structure.
“The company will have an independent board with representation from the National Treasury, the Ministry of Public Service, and the NYS,” said CS Ruku. “It will also be subject to oversight by the Office of the Auditor-General, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the DCI, and relevant parliamentary committees.”
He further noted that lessons from previous NYS financial scandals have informed the development of stronger internal controls, improved procurement systems, and enhanced compliance and risk management structures.
“We have institutionalised preventive oversight and reinforced collaboration with anti-corruption agencies to safeguard public resources,” he stated.
“Commercialisation will enable NYS to sustain its operations while providing structured opportunities for training, employment, and innovation among Kenya’s young people,” he told the Senate.
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