Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has unveiled an ambitious government blueprint aimed at scaling up the National Youth Service (NYS) recruitment to 100,000 young Kenyans every year.
After touring the NYS Paramilitary Training Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, on Monday, CS Ruku took to social media to share the ministry’s forward-looking plans. A key part of the proposal includes expanding the academy’s infrastructure to meet the demands of a larger intake.
“As we prepare for the year ahead, we are working to expand the paramilitary academy’s capacity to absorb and train additional recruits,” Ruku announced.
Currently, the NYS is preparing to enroll 40,000 new recruits in the next cycle a figure Ruku says is just the beginning of a wider transformation. He emphasized the vital role the NYS plays, not just in training, but in shaping youth into responsible citizens committed to public service and national development.
“The NYS paramilitary and technical colleges are more than just training institutions they’re pillars of national progress,” Ruku remarked. “They instill discipline, purpose, and a spirit of service in our youth.”
Looking beyond training, Ruku also revealed ongoing efforts to commercialize the NYS, a collaboration between his ministry, the service itself, and various government departments. The goal is to make the institution more self-sustaining and expand its capacity to deliver both social impact and economic value.
Significant headway, he said, has already been made toward building a more resilient and resourceful NYS.
As plans to grow the service gather pace, Ruku’s message is clear: Kenya’s youth are central to the country’s future, and the government is laying down the infrastructure to help them thrive in discipline, skill, and service to the nation.
