The government plans to increase the number of National Youth Service (NYS) recruits from the 20,000 enrolled this year to about 100,000 by 2027.
The Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Ruku said 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.
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.
“We have many young jobless Kenyans who have an intention of joining NYS and as a government, we are working on modalities to increase the enrollment from the 20,000 we recruited this year to more than 100,000 in two years’ time,” said Ruku.
The CS at the same time announced that the government has embarked on commercialization of NYS activities with a special focus on agriculture so as to make the service more self-reliant and productive.
He said particular focus will be on farming of avocados, maize, and beans on a large-scale production and sale.
He cited the NYS Yatta field unit which he said has about 300,000 avocado seedlings ready for market, saying it would boost earnings for the institution.
“If we sell the 300,000 avocado seedlings for about Sh200 each, that’s a lot of money. Last year, from 250 acres of maize planted in this field unit, we harvested 3000 bags or 180 metric tons. We plan to undertake this on a large scale in all the NYS field units in the country,” Ruku said.
The CS said the Field units have enough land and labour to undertake large-scale farming and thus should take the opportunity to become the country’s food basket.
Ruku called on the national assembly to expedite any amendment that will be presented to them on the effective operationalization of NYS so that more young people can be trained in these institutions.
By Muoki Charles
