President William Ruto inspects a guard of honor mounted during the graduation of 18,000 NYS Recruits in Nakuru. Photo by PPS 
By Andrew Mbuva
President William Ruto has announced an ambitious expansion of the National Youth Service (NYS), with recruitment set to grow fivefold from the current 18,000 to 100,000 within the next three years.
Speaking during the 89th recruits’ passing-out parade at the NYS Paramilitary Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, the Head of State said the move is aimed at addressing youth unemployment while strengthening the NYS as a key pillar in national development.
“NYS is becoming a productive enterprise in agriculture, engineering, construction, textiles, and hospitality,” President Ruto said. “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.”
A record 18,115 recruits graduated from the six-month intensive programme, the largest cohort in NYS history. Ruto directed the Ministry of Interior to absorb 4,000 of them into the National Police Service during the next recruitment drive.
The President further revealed that the government is digitising NYS operations through platforms such as the Jobs Portal and Equipment Hiring System, while establishing centres of excellence like the Leather Technology Institute in partnership with the International Labour Organisation.
Ruto also highlighted new government programmes targeting youth empowerment, including ClimateWorx Mtaani, which has already engaged 45,000 young people in the Nairobi River Regeneration project. He announced plans to expand the initiative nationwide, increasing its workforce to 113,000.
The government, he said, will double employment under the Affordable Housing Programme from 320,000 to 640,000 youths and roll out Kandarasi Mtaani, which will create an additional 200,000 jobs in housing and infrastructure projects.
To connect Kenyan youth with international opportunities, Ruto noted that over 400,000 have secured jobs abroad in the past two years, with government support through the Uwezo Fund and Youth Enterprise Development Fund. In the past year alone, KSh244 million has financed air tickets, visas, and training for 2,300 young people.
Additionally, under the new National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) Programme, 100,000 youth in every ward will each receive KSh50,000 as start-up capital. The first batch of 54,000 beneficiaries will access funds next month.
The President assured that NYS facilities, including hostels, will be expanded and upgraded, and urged graduates to embrace excellence in all their pursuits.
“I challenge you, as I do all Kenyans today: We must rise above the average and dare to embrace greatness,” he said.
The event was attended by senior government officials, including Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku, NYS Commandant-General James Tembur, and legislators from across the country.
