Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, has reaffirmed the government’s ambitious plan to recruit 100,000 youth annually into the National Youth Service (NYS) as part of Kenya’s broader national development and youth empowerment strategy.
Speaking during an impromptu visit to the NYS Paramilitary Training Academy in Gilgil, Ruku assessed the institution’s readiness to support the expanded recruitment program. He emphasized that the government is fully committed to strengthening NYS as a tool for youth training, employment, and nation-building.
“There is no turning back. We are determined to train and empower more youths through NYS as part of our broader national development agenda,” Ruku declared.
The Gilgil academy, which currently accommodates fewer recruits, is set to host 40,000 trainees in 2026 in the first phase of the planned scale-up. CS Ruku announced that infrastructure expansion is already underway to support the increased numbers ahead of next year’s intake.
He lauded NYS as a cornerstone of Kenya’s development efforts, noting that its paramilitary and technical training institutions are vital in instilling discipline, patriotism, and public service ethics among the youth.
“The National Youth Service colleges are critical to our nation. They shape disciplined, service-oriented young people who contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.
Beyond training, Ruku revealed that the government is working to commercialize NYS operations, transforming it into a financially self-sustaining institution. The initiative, in partnership with other government departments, aims to boost NYS’s resilience and ensure it can meet its growing responsibilities.
“The commercial wing of NYS will be key in making the institution financially viable and capable of fulfilling its expanding mandate,” he noted.
The visit underscored the government’s commitment to leveraging NYS as a powerful platform for skills development, job creation, and economic transformation. CS Ruku concluded by affirming that ongoing investments are not just in infrastructure, but in securing the future of Kenya’s youth.
Written By Rodney Mbua
