The National Youth Service (NYS) has postponed its recruitment for volunteer servicemen and women, initially scheduled for Friday, 20th March 2026, and has announced new dates for participants.
In a statement on March 19, NYS said the delay follows a public holiday declared by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to observe the holy month.
“Following the gazette notice issued by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry for Interior and National Administration, declaring Friday a public holiday in observance of the holy month, the Commandant General wishes to inform the General Public that all recruitment activities initially scheduled for Friday, 20th March 2026, have been rescheduled to Saturday, 21st March 2026,” read the NYS statement in part.
NYS Postpones Recruitment March 21
Further, all prospective candidates were advised to report to their respective recruitment centers on the new date, Saturday, March 21, 2026.
“All prospective candidates are advised to take note of the change and present themselves at their respective recruitment centers on the revised dates,” it read.
On March 3, 2026, NYS announced the recruitment of servicemen and servicewomen across Kenya.
NYS also set out the requirements for all applicants seeking the position, including being a Kenyan citizen and a resident of the respective Sub-County of recruitment.
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Applicants were required to be of legal age and between 18 and 24 years at the time of application, and to have a minimum mean grade of D (Plain) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), which will be required during the process.
Successful candidates were expected to report to the NYS Paramilitary Academy, Gilgil, or NYS Technical Training Institute (NYSTTI), Naivasha, on dates and times specified in their respective calling letters.
NYS recruitment will take place in: Baringo, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homabay, Isiolo, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Mandera, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Muranga, Nakuru, Nandi, Samburu, Taita Taveta, Vihiga, Siaya, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir, and West Pokot.
Kenya Declares March 20 Public Holiday
Kenya is set to observe a national public holiday on Friday, March 20, 2026, after the government set the day aside for Muslim celebrations.
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The announcement was made through a gazette notice issued on Wednesday by Kipchumba Murkomen, who confirmed the holiday in line with Section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act.
“IT IS notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that, Friday, the 20th March, 2026, shall be a Public Holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr,” the notice read.
Eid al-Fitr, also known as Idd-ul-Fitr, is among the most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar and marks the end of Ramadan, the sacred month dedicated to fasting and reflection. Muslim faithfuls began Ramadhan on February 18, 2026.
During the holy period, believers observe dawn-to-sunset fasting, or saum, for 29-30 days to encourage discipline, cultivate God-consciousness known as taqwa, and nurture empathy for others.
