Kisii County youths have turned out in large numbers for the National Youth Service (NYS) recruitment exercise that kicked off today.
The Kenya government will recruit a minimum of 20,000 youths this year. The increased numbers are meant to address the high jobless rate and aim at curbing radicalisation of the youth by vigilante groups.
Early this year, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru said the key requirement for those intending to join the service is that one presents a medical check-up report from a government hospital.
The devolution ministry had stressed that the candidates must be prepared to give voluntary service to the nation in any part of Kenya and be ready to undergo rigorous physical training. Orphans will be given a special preference upon producing documents of proof such as parents’ death certificates or burial permits.
The recruitment comes after the nullification of the police recruitment exercise which was marred by irregularities in several areas.
The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) had recommended cancellation of results for the most affected areas but the court has nullified the results countrywide.