Members of the National Assembly have backed a Motion seeking to promote the employment of National Youth Service (NYS) graduates in government institutions and private security firms.

The Motion by Kilifi County MP, Hon. Gertrude Mbeyu, seeks to establish a policy framework for the structured engagement of NYS graduates as security officers in government institutions.

The proposal notes that approximately 18,000 youths graduate from the NYS annually, yet government institutions continue to rely on private security firms to supplement security provided by uniformed officers.

Hon. Mbeyu argues that NYS graduates possess foundational training in discipline, security awareness, public service ethics and emergency response, which could be harnessed to create employment opportunities for young people while meeting the security needs of public institutions.

The Motion calls on the National Government to develop guidelines for youth employment in line with Article 55 of the Constitution. It seeks to prioritise the engagement of NYS graduates to provide supplementary security services in ministries, departments and agencies.

It also proposes a framework for allocating security roles between NYS graduates and private security firms, including clear guidelines on recruitment, deployment, remuneration, training and career progression.

In supporting the Motion, Kitutu Chache MP, Hon. Japheth Nyakundi, said the Government should ensure NYS graduates secure employment after training, noting the significant public investment in equipping them with skills.

“We have invested a lot of money as a country to train these youth, only for them to remain jobless after graduating from the NYS,” he said, urging the Government to explore employment opportunities in the private security sector.

Ol Kalou MP, Hon. Sammy Douglas Waweru, noted that NYS graduates receive extensive training beyond security and called for policies requiring private security firms to recruit personnel who meet a prescribed training threshold.

“Considering the extensive training that the NYS provides, we must develop clear policies requiring security guards, who play a critical role in society, to be properly trained,” he said, asking how the trained young men and women could be absorbed into private security firms.

Mbeere North MP, Hon. Leonard Wa Muthende, similarly questioned the adequacy of training offered to some security guards, contrasting it with the rigorous courses undertaken by NYS graduates.

“I support this Motion because it is not proper to have security personnel who receive only two to four days of training guarding us when NYS graduates have undergone rigorous courses and are ready to serve as security officers,” he said.

Embu County MP, Hon. Pamela Njoki on her part called for a legal and policy framework to guide the transition of NYS trainees into employment, questioning the absence of a clear exit plan for graduates.

“The Government should have a legal framework and policy that looks at the exit programme for trainees. What is the exit plan for the NYS trainees after they have been trained?” she posed.