Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Hon. Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku, appeared before the Senate to respond to questions raised by Senator Karen Nyamu (Nominated) on the Government’s plan to commercialize the National Youth Service (NYS). The session focused on youth employment creation, skills development, and governance reforms within the Service.

In His response, the CS noted that the NYS Act, 2018 established the Service as a uniformed, disciplined, and corporate entity mandated to engage in commercial enterprises aligned to its training and empowerment objectives. 

He stated that the commercialization agenda is guided by Presidential directives, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV 2023–2027), all aimed at transforming NYS resources including personnel, machinery, land and projects into productive assets that generate revenue and sustainable jobs.

“The government’s plan seeks to make NYS self-sustaining and capable of creating employment opportunities for young people through structured enterprise engagement,” said CS Ruku. “We are optimizing the Service’s capacity to deliver both economic and social value.”

He disclosed that the Government is in the process of establishing the National Youth Service Enterprise and Services Company, which will serve as the commercial arm of NYS. 

The company’s approval and registration process is ongoing, and once operational, it will implement business plans across sectors such as mechanization, construction, agriculture, agro -processing, textiles, hospitality, and security services.

According to the CS, a commercialization matrix will be developed to monitor performance, investments, and outcomes across all NYS ventures. The initiative will also emphasize partnerships with both public and private stakeholders to enhance market access, technology transfer, and innovation.

On how the commercialization initiative will promote sustainable employment, the CS said the plan is designed to generate jobs for thousands of young people, particularly from marginalized and underserved regions. Through its enterprises, NYS will provide technical experience, entrepreneurship training, internships, and accredited certifications aligned with industry needs. “This structured approach will link training with production and market access, ensuring that youth gain long-term employability and self-reliance,” he said.

Addressing the issue of transparency and accountability in the commercialization process, CS Ruku assured the Senate that robust governance measures have been put in place to prevent the recurrence of past financial improprieties at NYS. He explained that the NYS Council continues to provide oversight, reporting to the Principal Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development. Additionally, the National Treasury has developed regulations for establishing NYS Enterprises and Services Limited under the Companies Act to manage commercial ventures within a legally sound and transparent structure.

“The company will have an independent board with representation from the National Treasury, the Ministry of Public Service, and the NYS,” said CS Ruku. “It will also be subject to oversight by the Office of the Auditor-General, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the DCI, and relevant parliamentary committees.”

He further noted that lessons from previous NYS financial scandals have informed the development of stronger internal controls, improved procurement systems, and enhanced compliance and risk management structures. “We have institutionalized preventive oversight and reinforced collaboration with anti-corruption agencies to safeguard public resources,” he stated.

In conclusion, CS Ruku reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to transforming NYS into a commercially viable, transparent, and youth-driven enterprise that contributes meaningfully to national development. “Commercialization will enable NYS to sustain its operations while providing structured opportunities for training, employment, and innovation among Kenya’s young people,” he told the Senate.