The National Intelligence Service (NIS) is Kenya’s primary intelligence agency. The National Intelligence Service Act, 2012 mandates NIS to collect, analyze, and disseminate intelligence to safeguard national security.
NIS works together with other national security agencies to ensure the country’s safety and counter terrorism threats.
It provides intelligence to the government on internal and external threats, including terrorism, espionage, and organized crime.
The Act requires NIS to operate impartially and professionally, without political bias.
NIS consists of the Director-General, Directors, and other members appointed based on provisions of the Act.
The remuneration and other benefits of the DG ARE set and regularly reviewed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
How to Apply to Join NIS
Unlike other government agencies, NIS neither advertises career opportunities nor conducts mass recruitments.
Instead, the Service invites Kenyans to create a profile in the NIS career portal.
Afterward, they are required to submit an online application requesting to be part of the team.
NIS then conducts interviews with qualified candidates if a vacancy matches their profile.
“Your profile will be considered whenever positions arise within the service. Based on your profile information, you may receive direct communication from the NIS to take further action,” the NIS says on its website.
NIS undertakes recruitment at the following entry levels: Graduate Trainees, Diploma Trainees, and Certificate Trainees.
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Graduate Trainees & Diploma Entry Levels
Kenyan degree holders wishing to join the NIS as graduate trainees should meet the following requirements.
1. Prospective candidates must be aged between 22-31 years.
2. Be in possession of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), mean grade C+ (plus) or its equivalent.
3. Be in possession of a degree from a recognized institution.
4. Must be a Kenyan citizen without a criminal record and be physically fit.
Diploma Trainees
Kenyan diploma holders wishing to join the NIS should meet the following requirements.
1. Prospective candidates must be aged between 20-30 years.
2. Be in possession of a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), mean grade C (plain) or its equivalent.
3. Be in possession of a college diploma, earned over at least 18 months of study in a recognized institution.
4. Must be a Kenyan citizen without a criminal record and be physically fit.
Certificate Trainees
Kenyan certificate holders wishing to join the NIS should meet the following requirements.
1. Prospective candidates must be aged between 20-26 years.
2. Be in possession of a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), mean grade D+ or its equivalent.
3. Be in possession of a relevant Certificate from a recognized institution, covering at least 6 months of study.
4. Must be a Kenyan citizen without a criminal record and is physically fit.
The DG issues a certificate of appointment to a member of the Service on appointment.
According to the NIS Act 2012, a person shall not be eligible for appointment as a member of the Service unless
(a)Information regarding that person has been gathered in the prescribed manner, in a security screening investigation by the Service.
(b) The Service, after evaluating the gathered information, is of the reasonable opinion that such a person may be appointed as a member without the possibility of such a person being a security risk or acting in any way prejudicial to national security.
Scheme of Service
A scheme of service setting out the terms and conditions of service for members of the Service has been created by the Director-General in consultation with the Public Service Commission (PSC) and SRC.
It provides for appointments, confirmation of appointments, promotions, resignations, retirements, and termination of appointment; scales of salaries and allowances; and the designations and grades of members of the Service.
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Pension scheme and other benefits
The salaries of the members of the NIS are not public.
However, they enjoy a pension scheme and a medical scheme. The medical scheme provides for in-service and retirement medical benefits.
The DG establishes these schemes with the approval of the National Intelligence Service Council.
Divisions in NIS
The Service has the following divisions;
(a) The internal intelligence division, which shall be responsible for gathering domestic intelligence.
(b) The external intelligence division, which shall be responsible for gathering foreign intelligence.
(c) Counter-intelligence divisio,n which shall be responsible for gathering and performing counterintelligence.
(d) Other divisions of the Service as may be necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the functions of the Act.
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