Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has announced a government plan to commercialise the National Youth Service (NYS) by establishing a new state corporation. The initiative aims to transform NYS into a more productive and self-sustaining entity while promoting youth employment.
Speaking before the Senate on Wednesday, CS Ruku revealed that the proposed entity, the National Youth Service Enterprises and Services Company, will serve as the commercial arm of NYS. “The National Youth Service is in the process of establishing this company to act as a commercial arm of the NYS commercialisation agenda. The approval process of the regulations and registration of the company is ongoing,” he said.
The initiative aligns with Presidential directives under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Kenya’s Fourth Medium-Term Plan, and Vision 2030. It is designed to address youth unemployment by providing structured training, enterprise development, and engagement in productive sectors.
CS Ruku explained that the new company will allow NYS to unlock revenue from its vast resources, including land, machinery, and skilled personnel. “For example, in affordable housing projects and vehicle repair services, NYS-trained youth will actively participate. This enterprise aims to generate sustainable employment for thousands of youth, especially from marginalised regions,” he said.
Once operational, the corporation will run income-generating projects across multiple sectors, providing youth with both employment and hands-on training while easing the government’s fiscal burden. The business plans are structured to ensure that NYS ventures contribute directly to youth empowerment and national development.
The commercialisation of NYS marks a shift from its traditional paramilitary focus to a hybrid model that blends discipline with economic productivity. CS Ruku emphasised that every opportunity to create jobs for Kenyan youth is being pursued through this initiative, noting that the demand for employment remains a top priority for the government.
