Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has announced plans to increase the National Youth Service (NYS) intake from 18,000 to 40,000 recruits starting January next year, as part of the government’s strategy to equip young Kenyans with practical skills and paramilitary training.
Speaking before the Senate plenary on Tuesday, Ruku said the expansion comes under a presidential directive aimed at ensuring more youth access opportunities to acquire employable skills across all counties.
“Mr. Speaker, we have 18,000 recruits who graduated from training this year, and it is the effort of the government to increase that number to 40,000 come January next year,” he told senators.
“For that to happen, a lot of resources are required. Therefore, it is the effort of the government, under a presidential directive, to think probably not out of the box, but without the box so that we can raise resources to mop up our young men and women in different constituencies and counties across the country.”
Ruku further revealed that the government is moving to commercialize NYS operations to make the service more sustainable.
The NYS Enterprises and Services Company, currently undergoing registration at the Attorney General’s Office, will serve as the commercial arm and implement business plans across multiple sectors including mechanization, construction, agriculture, agro-processing, textile and garment production, hospitality, and security services.
“The service is in the process of interpreting the National Youth Service Enterprises and Services Company to act as a commercial arm of the NYS commercialization agenda,” Ruku said. “Once operational, it will provide opportunities for young people to gain vocational experience while also generating revenue to support NYS programs.”
He also highlighted that ongoing government programs, such as the affordable housing initiative, provide a ready platform for NYS to participate in construction and other activities, creating additional opportunities for training and income generation.
“All this work provides an opportunity for the National Youth Service to take advantage of the affordable housing program and earn money that can go a long way in ensuring many young Kenyans get proper training, not only paramilitary but also in vocation,” the CS said.
Ruku emphasized that the expansion and commercialization of NYS are central to the government’s vision of youth empowerment, job creation, and national productivity.
“This initiative will ensure that thousands of young people across the country gain critical skills needed to contribute effectively to Kenya’s growing economy,” he said.
