Ruto: NYS to provide bulk of security agencies' recruits

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto on Friday said National Youth Service (NYS) graduates will be providing the bulk of security agencies' recruits, going foward.

Speaking during the 87th NYS pass-out parade at the paramilitary academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, Ruto said 80 percent of slots in the agencies will be reserved for NYS graduates.

That means they will be given higher stakes during the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), Kenya Police, Administration Police, Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) recruitment exercises.

"The National Security Council (NSC) has decided that going foward, 80 percent of all security recruitments will be from the National Youth Service," said the Head of State.

He added that his administration seeks to gradually increase NYS enrolment each year, with a target being 100,000 in five year's time.

The president was accompanied by among others, Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria. Kuria expressed support for measures taken by the president, in fixing the country's economic status.

Kuria said the plan, which includes introduction of a ray of taxes may seem painful now, adding that it will pay off in the long run.

"The plan you (President Ruto) rolled out might appear painful and unpalatable to some, but I want to encourage you to follow in the footsteps of my namesake, Moses of the Bible. Kenyans, like the children of Israel, will forget their wilderness struggles once they arrive in Canaan."

Kuria stated that they are working round the clock to ensure that NYS graduates land job opportunities, immediately.

"The National Employment Authority is partnering with NYS to provide jobs for these young people to get jobs abroad. As we speak, we have already deployed 40 servicemen and women to the UK for readily available jobs."

He added that they have an ambition to plant 200 million trees across the country, before the end of this financial year which ends in June, 2024.