The National Youth Service (NYS) has lowered the minimum Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade from the current D plain to D - (minus) in its bid to accommodate more Kenyans in future recruitments.
While appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities, NYS Director General James Tembur stated that the move would also level the playing field for all youths, regardless of their background.
He reaffirmed that the new directive would be implemented during the next recruitment cycle.
"The Ministry has lowered the mean grade to enable youths from disadvantaged communities to have an opportunity to join NYS," Tembur told the Aden Yusuf Haji-led Committee.
The lawmakers commended the move but urged the Director General to ensure equitable allocation of slots across the country.
Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge also highlighted that NYS had garnered significant attention following President William Ruto's directive that Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel would be recruited from the organisation.
"The president's directive has heightened interest in joining NYS, making transparency and equal distribution of slots during recruitment crucial," stated Mathenge.
The MPs expressed concerns over requirements that may exclude many interested applicants from joining the Service.
Aside from the KCSE mean grade, candidates must also be a Kenyan citizen by birth, be aged between 18-24 years old, be physically fit and show proof of a certificate of good conduct issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Nakuru County MP Liza Chelule, who chaired the session, also heaped praise on NYS' latest recruitment by also considering people with disabilities.
"You have done well in inclusion of people living with disabilities than most of the State institutions that appear before this Committee to address the same," noted Chelule.
The DG, however, faced criticism for NYS not including any persons living with disabilities in its Council.
Tembur informed the Committee that the Service had a total of 2,201 officers, with 1,525 being male and 676 female.
"We have promoted 944 male and 510 female officers. Fourteen of the officers we promoted were disabled," he stated.
