President has announces massive NYS expansion, targets 100,000 youth by 2027
The National Youth Service (NYS) enrolment will increase from 18,000 to 100,000 youths in the next three years, President William Ruto has announced.
NYS Recruits Passing-Out Parade, Gilgil

NYS Recruits Passing-Out Parade, Gilgil

Posted by William Samoei Ruto on Wednesday, August 27, 2025

The National Youth Service (NYS) enrolment will increase from 18,000 to 100,000 youths in the next three years, President William Ruto has announced. The increase, the President said, reflects the growing role of the NYS in skills training, job creation and addressing youth unemployment in the country.

 “NYS is becoming a productive enterprise in agriculture, engineering, construction, textiles and hospitality,” he said on Thursday. He added: “It is already producing maize flour, cooking oil, and fruit products, cutting costs, and generating income. Soon, NYS will also offer nationally and internationally recognised qualifications.”

 He said this while presiding over the graduation ceremony of 89 recruits at the NYS Military Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County. In attendance were Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, and NYS Commander-in-Chief James Tembur.

 Over 18,000 recruits, the largest group in the history of the NYS, graduated from a six-month intensive training programme, preparing them to take on senior roles in society. President Ruto directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to induct 4,000 NYS graduates into the National Police Service during the next recruitment of 10,000 officers. 

On the transformation of the NYS, the President said the government is digitising operations through the Career Portal and Equipment Rental Platform. At the same time, it is also establishing centres of excellence, such as the Institute of Leather Technology, and the International Labour Organisation for training to meet the needs of the industry.

 President Ruto said the government has launched several initiatives aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Among them are ClimateWorx Mtaani, an environmental restoration programme led by the NYS, and 45,000 youths involved in the Nairobi River Renegeration project.

 “Soon, through county-wide expansion, this workforce will increase to 113,000,” he said. In the coming months, the President explained, the government will double the number of youths working in the Affordable Housing Scheme from the current 320,000 to 640,000. In addition, President Ruto announced that the Street Contracts scheme will provide 200,000 additional jobs in housing and market projects - building walls, repairing roads, laying sewage systems and equipping youth with skills while expanding their income. 

He urged the graduates to take advantage of the governments workforce relocation programme which has linked over 400,000 Kenyans to jobs in Canada, Germany and the Gulf states in the past two years. To support them, the President said the Uwezo Fund and the Youth Business Development Fund are covering airfare, visas and accommodation costs, while also providing training and pre-departure verification. "In the past year, KSh244 million has enabled 2,300 youths to take up these international jobs," he said.

The President indicated that the government is negotiating similar agreements with other nations to open doors for more skilled, tech-savvy youth to thrive in the world. Furthermore, he said 100,000 youth across all wards in Kenya will each receive KSh50,000 each of the KSh50,000 new Youth Development Fund.

 "Next month, the first batch of 54,000 young men and women will receive this money and begin training," said President Ruto, adding that there are plans to expand and improve NYS services, as is currently being done in public tertiary institutions and universities. "You, as I do all Kenyans today: We must raise the bar and dare to embrace greatness." 

Also at the event were Kenya Prisons Service Commissioner Patrick Aranduh, Kenya Wildlife Service Director-General Erastus Kanga, Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko, National Police Service Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat, and Deputy Inspector-General of Police Giltha Lagat. (Gilgil), David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East) and Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), among others.

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