Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has proposed a new law that would make National Youth Service (NYS) training mandatory for all students after completing Form Four.
Jalang’o said he plans to introduce a Bill in Parliament requiring young people to undergo NYS training after sitting their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
The lawmaker said the programme would help young people gain discipline, patriotism and practical skills before joining higher education or entering the job market.
“I have another Bill that is coming up. It is called the mandatory National Youth Service training after Form Four,” Jalang’o said.
MP Jalang’o Proposes Mandatory NYS Training for All Form Four Leavers
He argued that several countries have national service programmes where young people undergo training before taking the next step in life.
Jalang’o said Kenya previously had a similar system in which young people joined NYS after completing school and received paramilitary training, discipline, and other life skills.
He said bringing back such a programme would help address concerns about discipline among some young people.
“Several countries, including Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, have mandatory NYS training. Kenya also had a similar system in the past, where after Form Four, one would go to NYS and undergo paramilitary training and learn discipline,” he added.
“When a young person finishes school, they should go for National Youth Service to learn paramilitary training, discipline and everything that comes with it.”
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According to the MP, the training would also help young Kenyans develop a sense of responsibility and understand their role in contributing to the country.
He said the programme would provide an opportunity for young people to acquire skills, build character and prepare themselves for adulthood.
Jalang’o said he believes the proposed Bill is among the key pieces of legislation he hopes to push through during the 13th Parliament.
“I will table it. That is maybe the only Bill I would have found a chance to pass through the 13th Parliament because there are many Bills,” he said.
The proposal comes as the government continues to focus on youth empowerment, skills development and preparing young people for employment opportunities.
NYS, established in 1964, has traditionally offered young Kenyans training in areas such as vocational skills, national service, disaster response, and community development.
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Current NYS Recruitment Requirements
Currently, National Youth Service (NYS) training is not mandatory for all Form Four leavers. Young Kenyans join the programme through the existing recruitment process.
To qualify for NYS recruitment, an applicant must be a Kenyan citizen aged between 18 and 24 years, have a valid national identity card and attain at least a grade of D (plain) or above in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Applicants are also required to undergo physical and medical assessments before admission. They must present a valid Certificate of Good Conduct and be prepared to undertake intensive paramilitary training.
Successful recruits undergo a mandatory six-month physical and mental conditioning programme, which includes paramilitary training, physical fitness exercises and preparation for national service duties.
NYS Training and Career Opportunities
NYS has continued to position itself as a platform for youth training and national service.
According to the National Youth Service, recruits undergo paramilitary and technical training to equip them with skills for various areas of work.
NYS has also stated in the past that a significant number of future recruits into security agencies, including the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), are drawn from its trained personnel.
The service has also indicated that 80 per cent of new recruits to the National Police Service and KDF are sourced from NYS members.
The same approach also applies to recruitment into the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
NYS earlier revealed that 70 per cent of Kenyans securing jobs abroad are also drawn from current and former NYS servicemen and women.
The service says its members can be deployed in various national service roles, including securing government facilities, construction, engineering, water and sanitation projects, agriculture and climate change mitigation programmes.
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