Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria on Tuesday faulted the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) countrywide recruitment drive.
In an advertisement carried out in a local daily, the service announced that it was recruiting 1,500 individuals to fill conservation vacancies. 150 are expected to fill Cadets (Assistant Warden I) positions while 1,350 will join KWS as rangers.
The CS, during a visit to Njabini VTC in Nyandarua County, took an issue with the recruitment process arguing that the service should prioritise hiring individuals who have undergone National Youth Service (NYS) training.
He explained that the President had directed several government agencies including Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service (NYS) to fill 80 per cent of their positions with NYS recruits.
"I have seen KWS, in today's newspaper, advertising for jobs. President William Ruto directed that 80 per cent of KWS officers should be recruited from NYS," he remarked during the event.
"I saw the advertisement claim that NYS is an added advantage. That is stupidity and defies the President's orders."
The CS, as a result, promised to sort out the issue with President William Ruto to ensure that his orders are followed through.
"I will talk to the President to fulfill his promise that he made to Kenyans that 80 per cent of KDF officers, National Police Service officers and KWS officers should come from NYS," he added.
In its advertisement, KWS listed several requirements for the ranger position.
Applicants should be Kenyan citizens with an identification card or passport, they must have scored a minimum of D (plain) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination and should be aged between 18 and 26 years.
Other requirements were physical and medical fitness, no criminal record and readiness to undergo a 6-month paramilitary training.
Kuria, however, took an issue with a provision contained in the advertisement that read, "National Youth Service (NYS) graduates who meet the above requirements are encouraged to apply."
He argued that the provision implied that top priority was not accorded to NYS recruits.
Ruto Orders
In November last year, the Head of State directed the security services agencies to hire 80 per cent of their workforce from NYS. He explained that the push would expand the number of youth joining the NYS.
"We are doubling enrolment to 40,000 in the Service from next year, and have made it absolutely mandatory that every village, centre, town and city in Kenya is properly represented in the recruitment,” he announced during his State of the Nation address.
