Lugari: Public Service and Human Capital Development Cabinet Secretary (CS), Justin Muturi, has underscored the need to fast-track the commercialisation of the National Youth Service (NYS) to make it self-sustaining. Muturi, who spoke during a tour of the NYS Turbo Field Unit in Lugari Sub County, said it is only through commercialisation that the institution can achieve President William Ruto’s vision of training 100,000 servicemen and women annually.
According to Kenya News Agency, Muturi stated, “We have instructions from the President to ensure that the various activities the NYS is undertaking across its numerous field units are commercialised. As a ministry, we are working day and night to ensure that is realised so that the great potential in NYS, like the water purification plant in the Turbo Field Unit, is realised. We must expedite the process.” He added that a letter concerning the commercialisation is already in his office, and efforts are underway to collaborate with the Treasury to establish th
e commercial entity of NYS in alignment with the President’s vision.
The CS highlighted that an empowered NYS will eventually become self-sustaining, reducing its dependency on state funding. He praised the NYS recruits for their exemplary behaviour and urged them to uphold the values acquired during their training, emphasizing the importance of national values and governance principles enshrined in Article 10 of the Kenyan Constitution.
Muturi further reminded the recruits of President Ruto’s commitment to transforming the NYS for their benefit, including their potential absorption into the disciplined forces. NYS Deputy Director General, Jamlick Chabari, commended CS Muturi’s efforts in transforming the training institution, affirming the NYS’s readiness to collaborate with other government bodies for efficient service delivery, similar to their partnership with Huduma Kenya.
Huduma Kenya Program CEO Benjamin Chilumo likened the partnership between Huduma Kenya and NYS to that of “sisters,” emphasizing m
utual benefits for public service growth. Chilumo encouraged the servicemen and women to diligently apply themselves and not squander their youth.
The visit to the Turbo field unit also saw the presence of NYS Western Zone Commander Enock Nyandege, Lugari Deputy County Commissioner Simon Mutai, Lugari Assistant County Commissioner Christine Cheboi, her Lumakanda counterpart Wambua Mbinya, and Lugari Police Commander Julius Melly along with Administration Police counterpart John Mulei. During the visit, CS Muturi initiated the planting of 10,000 trees at the field unit.