Ruto Confirms 4,000 NYS Graduates to Join Police Service in Upcoming Recruitment

President William Ruto has confirmed that 4,000 graduates from the National Youth Service (NYS) will be recruited into the National Police Service as part of a nationwide exercise to enlist 10,000 officers next month.

The announcement was made during the passing-out parade of over 18,000 NYS recruits at the Gilgil campus in Nakuru County. Recruitment into the police service had been delayed due to the introduction of a new online application system by the National Police Service Commission, intended to improve transparency and reduce irregularities. With the digital platform still not fully operational, the government has opted to proceed with the recruitment under revised procedures.

President Ruto said the integration of NYS graduates into the police and other security services is part of a broader strategy to tackle youth unemployment and support national development. He added that NYS alumni would also be prioritised for roles in key government programmes, including the Affordable Housing initiative, which is expected to expand its workforce in the coming months.

The President encouraged graduates to take advantage of emerging opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, ICT, engineering, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. He cited government initiatives like the Hustler Fund and the Nyota programme as key platforms to support youth-led enterprises and skills development.

To accommodate growing numbers, the government is expanding infrastructure at the Gilgil campus, including the construction of 20 hostels to house an additional 20,000 recruits. Ruto also announced plans for a modern kitchen facility and instructed the Ministry of Public Service and the National Treasury to allocate more staff and resources to NYS operations.

The government aims to scale NYS recruitment to 100,000 by 2028. According to NYS Commandant General James Tembur, all members of the current cohort met the training and eligibility requirements for advancement into national service roles. Of the 18,145 graduates, 4,756 were women and 12 were persons living with disabilities.