Ruto mandates NYS to expand its recruitment to 20,000 for the next intake

President William Ruto has directed the National Youth Service (NYS) to raise its recruitment to 20,000 for the coming year, up from roughly 15,000 this year.

During the NYS pass-out parade in Gilgil on Monday, President Ruto recognised the current recruiting figures' accomplishments but emphasised the need for additional development. "I am very pleased with the current number of recruits," he said. "However, as stated, our target for next year is to boost intake to 20,000 people. We are making the necessary arrangements to guarantee that even more young people benefit from the training and occupational skills offered by NYS."

In addition to this increase, President Ruto has authorised the recruitment of 200 new cadet officers and 500 private officers to strengthen NYS's capacities and effectiveness. This additional staffing is intended to strengthen the service's operational support.

The President also emphasised the critical role that NYS recruits will play in the Kenya Kwanza administration's 15 billion tree project. He directed NYS to oversee this national climate action program, which aims to solve environmental issues and promote sustainable development throughout Kenya. With increased recruitment and manpower, NYS is poised to make considerable progress in both vocational training and environmental activities.

The National Youth Service (NYS) was founded in 1964 as a Government of Kenya organisation to educate young people about national issues. Following the Kenyan Parliament's passage of the NYS Act in 2018, it transformed from a state department to a semi-autonomous state corporation in 2019.

NYS's primary functions include:

Offering paramilitary and regimental training.

Participate in national development projects.

We provide technical and vocational training in a variety of skills and trades.

Additionally, President Ruto announced plans to add basic weapons training to the NYS curriculum. He says this will better prepare officers to handle situations and protect the country. The President has directed the Cabinet Secretaries for Interior, Defence, and Public Service to begin conversations about implementing this training, with the NYS Minister coordinating with the Ministries of Defence and Interior.

Furthermore, President Ruto emphasised the need for security services prioritising NYS graduates in their hiring processes. He praised the Kenya Wildlife Service for including former NYS recruits in their recent recruiting, noting that 447 of 790 selected candidates were ex-NYS officers, accounting for 56% of the total.