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. Ultimately, the number will rise to 300,000 recruits per year by 2027.

NYS recruits have in past 15 years emerged a source of chap standby the government and state corporations hire for security, construction of government buildings, bridges, roads and during disaster emergencies.

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 at NYS Yatta Field Unit in Machakos County, the cabinet secretary praised the pivotal role NYS plays in youth empowerment, national development and job creation.

“We have many young jobless Kenyans who have intention of joining NYS and as a government, we are working on modalities to increase the enrolment from the 20,000 we recruited this year to more than 100,000 in two years’ time,” Ruku said.

The cabinet secretary at the same time announced that the government has embarked on commercialisation of NYS activities with a special focus on agriculture, so as to make the service more self-reliant and productive.

Ruku said particular focus will be on farming of avocados, maize and beans on 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 avocados seedlings for about Ksh200 each, that’s a lot of money. Last year, from 250 acres of maize planted in this field unit, we harvested 3,000 bags or 180 metric tonnes. We plan to undertake this on a large-scale in all the NYS field units in the country,” Ruku said.

The minister 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.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Muoki Charles

The Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Ruku addresses the press at NYS Yatta Field Unit in Machakos County today