The government has unveiled plans to establish a new state corporation within the National Youth Service (NYS) aimed at commercialising the service and creating more employment opportunities for young people.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced the plan on Wednesday while appearing before the Senate to address queries on how the government intends to transform the NYS into a more productive and self-sustaining entity.
Ruku revealed that the proposed entity, named the National Youth Service Enterprises and Services Company, will serve as the commercial arm of NYS under its ongoing commercialisation agenda.
“The National Youth Service (NYS) is in the process of establishing the National Youth Service Enterprises and Services Company to act as a commercial arm of the National Youth Service commercialisation agenda. The approval process of the regulations and registration of the company is ongoing at the moment,” said Ruku.
“NYS is taking the opportunity through this initiative to enhance employment, revenue generation, and the sustainability of the Service. The business plans developed will ensure these enterprises cover multiple sectors that directly contribute to youth empowerment and national development.”
The CS explained that the proposal is currently under review at various levels, including the Cabinet and the National Treasury, to ensure compliance with existing policy and legal frameworks.
He added that the move aligns with the Presidential directives and policy guidance under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the Fourth Medium-Term Plan, and Kenya Vision 2030.
Ruku noted that the initiative will help address the growing challenge of youth unemployment and vulnerability by promoting structured training, enterprise development, and engagement in productive sectors.
“The Kenyan youth are asking us, ‘Where are the jobs?’ Any opportunity that the government can create to initiate job creation is what we are pursuing through the commercialisation process,” the CS added.
The new company will also help unlock NYS’s potential to generate revenue by commercialising its vast resources, including land, machinery, and skilled personnel.
“For example, in the construction of affordable housing, which is ongoing, NYS-trained youth will take advantage of that. In the repair of vehicles, NYS will also take advantage of that. Through this enterprise, NYS aims to generate sustainable employment for thousands of youth, particularly from marginalised regions.”
Once operational, the corporation is expected to run income-generating projects across various sectors, providing youth with both training and employment opportunities while easing the fiscal burden on the government.
According to the ministry, the framework will ensure NYS evolves from a purely paramilitary service to a hybrid model that blends discipline with economic productivity.
