5 shortlisted for NYS director general interviews

By Peter Ochieng

Five individuals have been shortlisted for interviews to fill the position of Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the National Youth Service (NYS).

The interviews are planned for Monday, December 4, 2023, at the NYS headquarters, in Nairobi.

They are; Njiri Nelson Mugweru, Anjere Alfred Tom, Nakitari Humphrey Okuku, Mbaruku Moses Njeru, and Tembur James Kipsiele.

Tembur is serving as NYS director general albeit in an acting capacity, while Nakitari Humphrey Okuku is the former Kisumu County Secretary, while Njiri Nelson Mugweru is the former Kisumu county police commander.

Members of public have been urged to submit written memorandum on the suitability of the candidates.

"Members of the public are requested to submit written statements on oath providing evidence contesting the sustainability of any of the candidates," NYS said in a statement.

The successful candidate will take over from Matilda Sakwa, whose tenure at NYS in April 2023. She was appointed by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on September 17, 2019.

The search for a new NYS director general comes days after Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria declared that all new government employees will need a National Youth Service clearance certificate when they apply for government jobs.

Speaking on 25th October, 2023, Kuria said this move will curb corruption and laziness among public servants.

"Before anyone is hired for a government job, they must go through NYS. If we see someone involved in corruption, I will contact the Director-General, seeking to trace if the servant is NYS certified," he said.

“So that even those people who are going to be in the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Water, Ministry of Lands, we make sure that we have traceability from where they were created, and that factory is right here in NYS,” added.

He promised to take it up with the cabinet to make sure they approve his plan, of making it mandatory that all new government employees provide an NYS certificate.