The government will help secure positions in disciplined forces for National Youth Service recruits, President William Ruto has said.

The Head of State who on Monday, August 26, 2024, presided over the 88th NYS pass-out parade in Gilgil, Nakuru County, said as a way of ensuring more youth benefit from the training, the government will also increase recruits by 5,000.

Ruto on supporting NYS

Ruto in a statement shared via his official X account said his administration will enhance its support for the NYS, recognising its role in youth empowerment and national development.

The first in command further promised to improve the NYS training, impart skills, knowledge and competencies, expand commercial ventures and promote sustainable practices.

“We will consistently enhance our support for the National Youth Service, recognising its role in youth empowerment and national development. We will improve training, impart skills, knowledge and competencies, expand commercial ventures and promote sustainable practices.

“To ensure more youth benefit from training, we will increase recruits by 5,000 and secure positions for them in the disciplined forces,” President Ruto stated.

We will consistently enhance our support for the National Youth Service, recognising its role in youth empowerment and national development. We will improve training, impart skills, knowledge and competencies, expand commercial ventures and promote sustainable practices. pic.twitter.com/Q8YbD5aLE7

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 26, 2024

Number of NYS recruits

President Ruto while speaking during the event directed NYS to increase the number of recruits to 20,000 in their next intake.

The Head of State said this year’s cohort was almost 15,000 recruits and he is happy about that.

He went ahead to point out that he has also approved the recruitment of additional Cadets and Private officers to support the Service in doing their work.

“As I have directed that the next recruitment will have 20,000 recruits, I have also today approved recruitment of 200 additional cadet officers to the NYS and 500 private officers to support in the exemplary work at NYS,” President Ruto stated.

NYS officers using firearms

Ruto also announced plans to have the National Youth Service (NYS) officers undergo a basic training on use of firearms.

According to President Ruto, the move will ensure that the officers are ready to respond and protect the country when a need arises.

He directed the Cabinet Secretaries for Interior, Defence and Public Service to begin talks immediately to make this come to fruition.