President William Ruto has announced that the government is exploring the possibility of providing National Youth Service (NYS) officers with basic firearms training.
Speaking at the NYS recruits’ pass-out parade in Gilgil on Monday, August 26, Ruto highlighted that the new training would better equip officers to defend the nation when necessary.
The Head of State also directed the relevant departments, including the Ministries of Interior, Defence, and Public Service, to begin consultations on how to implement the plan.
“The minister responsible for NYS who is here with me should in consultation with the Ministry of Defence and Interior further initiative to make sure that the paramilitary training that these young men and women go through will include a basic course in firearms,” he said.
President Ruto further emphasized that all security agencies should prioritize NYS graduates during their recruitment processes.
The 88th NYS graduation ceremony saw 14,692 recruits complete their training, which President Ruto expressed his satisfaction with, noting that the service was on track to achieving his administration’s goal of 20,000 recruits every year.
“I am very happy the number of recruits was almost 15,000. As I instructed, our intention is that by next year we will recruit 20,000 at a go.
“We are making arrangements as government to make sure more young people benefit from this training and attendant vocational training that comes with it,” the President said.
In response to the rising number of interested candidates, he sanctioned the recruitment of more cadets and private officers to strengthen the Service in fulfilling its responsibilities.
“To improve on the numbers as I have directed that the next recruitment will have 20,000 recruits, I have today approved recruitment of 200 additional cadet officers to the NYS and 500 private officers to support in the exemplary work at NYS,” he said.
Ruto also praised the Kenya Wildlife Service for following the directive to prioritize ex-NYS recruits during its latest recruitment exercise. He noted that out of the 790 individuals recruited, 447 were former NYS officers, making up 56 percent of the total intake.
