NYS hailed for practical contribution to national development

The National Youth Service (NYS) has been praised for its practical contributions to national development in Kenya. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku highlighted the service's impact through environmental conservation, infrastructure development, disaster response, and employment programs. Since 2022, over 71.8 million trees have been planted through NYS initiatives like Climate WorX, alongside roadworks, river restoration, and other environmental interventions.

In disaster-prone areas such as Chesongoch and Elgeyo Marakwet County, NYS personnel have assisted in rebuilding 56 homes destroyed by landslides, with 80 to 90 percent of the houses already completed. Ruku emphasized the service's role in providing practical assistance during communities' most challenging times.

The NYS has also created employment opportunities, with 12,760 former members securing positions in various countries, including the United Kingdom, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia, since 2024. These employment pathways align with the Government's Labour Mobility Programme, Kazi Majuu, which facilitates overseas employment for skilled Kenyans.

The CS commended NYS for its contributions to agriculture, specifically through a partnership with the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) to cultivate 3,000 acres of land in the Tana Basin. Additionally, the service is involved in potato seed multiplication in Turbo, aiming to establish at least 100 acres for clean and disease-free seed production.

These initiatives demonstrate how young people can address national challenges with discipline and practical skills, providing an environment for acquiring such attributes while developing valuable abilities.