The Government plans to increase the number of National Youth Service (NYS) recruits fivefold—from the current 20,000 to 100,000—by the year 2027, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has announced.
Speaking during a tour at NYS Yatta Field Unit in Machakos County, the CS emphasized the pivotal role NYS plays in youth empowerment, national development, and job creation.
He revealed that the expansion is part of a broader government strategy to harness the potential of the youth while addressing unemployment and enhancing service delivery across the country.
In a bid to make NYS more self-reliant and productive, CS Ruku called for the commercialization of NYS activities.
Particular focus will be placed on agriculture, with products such as avocados, maize, and beans earmarked for large-scale production and sale.
He called on members of Parliament to accelerate the commercialization of selected government agencies in a bid to improve efficiency, generate revenue, and reduce the financial burden on the national budget.
The appeal comes amid growing concerns over the rising cost of maintaining under performing or non-essential government institutions.
During a recent parliamentary session, legislators across party lines emphasized the urgency of implementing long-standing recommendations to restructure and commercialize entities that have the potential to operate profitably.
In a significant boost to Kenya’s environmental restoration initiatives, the CS announced that over 5,000 officers from the NYS will be enrolled to participate in the ongoing cleanup of Nairobi River.
The move, he said, is part of the broader programme that aims at rehabilitating the city’s water bodies and providing employment opportunities for the youth.
The CS lauded NYS officers for their dedication and patriotism and urged other civil servants to emulate them for effective service delivery in the country.
