Machakos: The government plans to increase the number of National Youth Service (NYS) recruits from the 20,000 enrolled this year to about 100,000 by 2027. The Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Ruku stated that this expansion is part of a broader government strategy to harness the potential of the youth while addressing unemployment and enhancing service delivery across the country.

According to Kenya News Agency, the announcement was made by Ruku during a tour at the NYS Yatta Field Unit in Machakos County. He emphasized the pivotal role NYS plays in youth empowerment, national development, and job creation. Ruku highlighted the government’s commitment to increasing enrollment from 20,000 to more than 100,000 in the next two years to accommodate many young, jobless Kenyans eager to join NYS.

In addition to increasing recruits, Ruku announced the government’s plan to commercialize NYS activities, focusing on agriculture to make the service more self-reliant and productive. The commercialization efforts will target large-scale farming of avocados, maize, and beans. Ruku pointed out that the NYS Yatta field unit currently has about 300,000 avocado seedlings ready for the market, which could significantly boost the institution’s earnings.

The sale of these avocado seedlings, priced at approximately Sh200 each, is projected to generate substantial revenue. Ruku also noted the successful harvest from the previous year, where 250 acres of maize yielded 3,000 bags, equivalent to 180 metric tons. The government intends to replicate this large-scale farming model across all NYS field units in the country, leveraging available land and labor to transform them into a national food basket.

Ruku urged the national assembly to expedite any necessary amendments to facilitate the effective operationalization of NYS, allowing more young people to receive training in these institutions.