NYS REFORMS BEARING FRUIT, PRESIDENT KENYATTA SAYS
Friday, December 6th, 2019
Reforms being undertaken at the National Youth Service (NYS) have ensured that the service is stronger and more effective in the delivery of its mandate. This was said by President Uhuru Kenyatta when he presided over the passing-out parade of 11,730 recruits of the National Youth Service at the NYS Gilgil training college in Nakuru County on 6th December.
The President said NYS has been able to overcome its past challenges and emerged to become an integral part of Kenya’s youth and national development and was playing a significant role on the realization of the Big 4 Agenda.
The Head of State commended the institution’s new governing council for strengthening management systems which have led to improved financial controls, procurement procedures, and administrative supervision in its oversight role.
“This has resulted in higher productivity, better efficiency and enhanced revenues; which, in turn, have allowed young recruits to both experience as well as give improved service delivery,” the President said.
The President also commended the recruits for successfully undergoing the rigorous six months training and urged the new NYS leadership to ensure that the institute remains focused on the delivery of its mandate.
H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta awarding a trophy to some of the best performing National Youth Service recruits during the passing-out parade at their training college in Gilgil, Nakuru County on 6th December 2019.
“I note with satisfaction the positive reports from the private sector, which validate our assurances to investors that NYS offers disciplined, dependable, skilled, competent and vibrant youth, whose work exhibits the highest standards of work ethic and commitment to duty,” the President said.
The Head of State commended the NYS management for partnering with other government agencies to establish the 2nd largest potato seeds production unit in Africa at the institution’s Tumaini field unit in Nyandarua County. He noted that the project will enable Kenyan farmers to access certified potato seeds easily and at a reasonable price thus contributing towards the achievement of food security pillar of the Big 4 Agenda.
He called on the institute to take a more proactive role in the national roll-out of Universal Health Care especially given the training of NYS health cadets which is being administered by the Ministry of Health and AMREF. The President subsequently directed the Ministry of Health and the State Department for Youth to ensure that NYS Community Health cadets undertake further training at Kenya Medical Training Colleges after one year of service to improve on their skills
“To secure the gains made under this transformative programme on healthcare, today I direct the Ministries of Health and State Department for Youth, to ensure that once they have served for one year, these NYS Community Health cadets undertake further training at Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTC), based on their academic qualifications and areas of interest,” the President directed.
He said policy changes have enabled NYS to save money and generate nearly half a billion shillings in revenue since January 2019. “I am happy to note the National Youth Service has heeded the Policy to “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” by purchasing all the fabric and shoes used by the Service from local manufacturers,” the President noted.
The President reiterated the government’s commitment to continue rolling out and supporting initiatives aimed at generating employment and wealth for the youth.
In her remarks, Cabinet Secretary Prof Margaret Kobia said the new NYS management council is undertaking reforms to align the institute with the government’s development priorities including Big 4 Agenda and Vision 2030.
Since its establishment, the National Youth Service has nurtured over 220,000 servicemen and women in skills and knowledge; and, more importantly, in attitudes that have enabled them to improve their lives, while, at the same time, contributing meaningfully to Society
In attendance at the passing-out parade were the institution’s Director General Matilda Sakwa and the college Commandant Isaac Ndirangu.
