GILGIL, Kenya – President William Ruto has announced plans for the National Youth Service (NYS) recruits to undergo basic firearms training.
Speaking at the NYS pass-out parade in Gilgil, President Ruto highlighted that this initiative is aimed at ensuring that NYS officers are equipped to respond to emergencies and protect the country when the need arises.
President Ruto has directed the Cabinet Secretaries for Interior, Defence, and Public Service to initiate discussions to bring this plan to life.
He emphasized that the paramilitary training currently provided to NYS recruits will be expanded to include a foundational course in firearms use.
“The minister responsible for NYS, who is here with me, should in consultation with the Ministry of Defence and Interior further initiate to make sure that the paramilitary training that these young men and women go through will include a basic course in firearms,” Ruto stated.
During his address, President Ruto also underscored the importance of prioritizing the integration of NYS graduates into various security agencies.
He commended the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for their recent efforts, revealing that 56% of the 790 recruits in the latest intake were former NYS members.
This, he said, is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to providing career opportunities for NYS graduates in security and conservation roles.
President Ruto announced that the number of recruits would increase from the current cohort of nearly 15,000 to 20,000 in the next intake.
The expansion is part of a broader strategy to ensure more young Kenyans benefit from the training and vocational opportunities provided by the NYS.
“We are making arrangements as a government to make sure more young people benefit from this training and attendant vocational training that comes with it,” he said.
To support this expansion, President Ruto has approved the recruitment of additional personnel within the NYS framework.
This includes 200 cadet officers and 500 private officers, aimed at bolstering the service’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.
Speaking at the NYS pass-out parade in Gilgil, President Ruto highlighted that this initiative is aimed at ensuring that NYS officers are equipped to respond to emergencies and protect the country when the need arises.
President Ruto has directed the Cabinet Secretaries for Interior, Defence, and Public Service to initiate discussions to bring this plan to life.
He emphasized that the paramilitary training currently provided to NYS recruits will be expanded to include a foundational course in firearms use.
“The minister responsible for NYS, who is here with me, should in consultation with the Ministry of Defence and Interior further initiate to make sure that the paramilitary training that these young men and women go through will include a basic course in firearms,” Ruto stated.
During his address, President Ruto also underscored the importance of prioritizing the integration of NYS graduates into various security agencies.
He commended the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for their recent efforts, revealing that 56% of the 790 recruits in the latest intake were former NYS members.
This, he said, is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to providing career opportunities for NYS graduates in security and conservation roles.
President Ruto announced that the number of recruits would increase from the current cohort of nearly 15,000 to 20,000 in the next intake.
The expansion is part of a broader strategy to ensure more young Kenyans benefit from the training and vocational opportunities provided by the NYS.
“We are making arrangements as a government to make sure more young people benefit from this training and attendant vocational training that comes with it,” he said.
To support this expansion, President Ruto has approved the recruitment of additional personnel within the NYS framework.
This includes 200 cadet officers and 500 private officers, aimed at bolstering the service’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.
