NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has announced that recruitment into the National Youth Service (NYS) will be significantly scaled up from the current 18,000 to 100,000 young people in the next three years. This increase, the President said, reflects the growing role of NYS in skills training, job creation, and solving youth unemployment in the country.
“NYS is becoming a productive enterprise in agriculture, engineering, construction, textiles, and hospitality,” he said on Thursday. “It is already producing maize meal, cooking oil, and fruit products, cutting costs, and generating revenue. Soon, NYS will also award nationally and internationally recognised qualifications.”
President Ruto made the remarks while presiding over the 89th recruits’ passing-out parade ceremony at the NYS Paramilitary Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County.
The event was attended by Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, and NYS Commandant-General James Tembur.
More than 18,000 recruits, the largest cohort in NYS history, graduated from the six-month intensive training program.
President Ruto directed the Ministry of Interior to absorb 4,000 NYS graduates into the National Police Service during the next recruitment for 10,000 officers.
Transforming NYS for youth employment
The President said the government is digitizing NYS operations through the Jobs Portal and the Equipment Hiring Platform.
Additionally, it is setting up centers of excellence, such as the Leather Technology Institute, in partnership with the International Labour Organization to train youth to meet industry demands.
President Ruto also highlighted several other government initiatives aimed at addressing youth unemployment, including the ClimateWorx Mtaani environmental restoration program, which NYS is spearheading. This program has already engaged 45,000 young people in the Nairobi River Regeneration project.
“Soon, through countywide expansion, this workforce will grow to 113,000,” he said.
In the coming months, the government will double the number of young people working in the Affordable Housing Programme from the current 320,000 to 640,000.
Furthermore, President Ruto announced that the Kandarasi Mtaani initiative will provide an additional 200,000 jobs in housing and market projects, including building walls, paving roads, and installing wastewater systems. This initiative will also equip young people with new skills while expanding their incomes.
The President urged the graduates to take advantage of the government’s labor mobility program, which has linked more than 400,000 Kenyans with job opportunities in Canada, Germany, and the Gulf States over the past two years.
To support them, the Uwezo Fund and Youth Enterprise Development Fund are financing air tickets, visas, and settlement costs while also providing pre-departure training and certification.
“In the past year, KSh244 million has enabled 2,300 youth to take up these international jobs,” he said.
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The government is also negotiating similar agreements with other countries to open doors for more skilled, tech-savvy youth to thrive on the world stage.
Additionally, under the new National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) program, 100,000 youth in all wards across Kenya will each receive KSh 50,000 in start-up capital.
“Next month, the first batch of 54,000 young men and women will receive these funds and begin their training,” he said.
President Ruto said there are plans to expand and upgrade NYS facilities, including hostels, similar to ongoing projects in tertiary institutions and public universities.
He encouraged the new graduates to pursue their careers and personal endeavors with vigor, commitment, and a burning desire for excellence. “I challenge you, as I do all Kenyans today: We must rise above the average, and dare to embrace greatness.”
