Nakuru: All NYS Recruits To Undergo Basic Firearms Training, William Ruto Orders

• President William Ruto said the training will help the recruits be always prepared to protect the country whenever necessary
• He instructed the Cabinet secretaries for Defence and Interior to ensure that the discussion on the training programme is initiated
• President Ruto further affirmed that the recruits will be prioritised during the recruitment of KDF, KWS, KFS, and NPS officers

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Nakuru - President William Ruto has presided over the 88th National Youth Service (NYS) pass-out parade in Gilgil, where he announced plans for recruits to undergo basic firearms training.

This initiative aims to ensure that NYS officers are well-prepared to respond to threats and protect the country when necessary.

Ruto instructed the Cabinet secretaries for Interior, Defence, and Public Service to initiate discussions to implement this training programme.

“The minister responsible for NYS who is here with me should in consultation with the Ministry of Defence and Interior further discuss initiative to make sure that the paramilitary training that these young men and women go through will include a basic course in firearms to make sure they stand ready to protect the country when need arises,” he said.

During the parade, he also stressed the importance of security agencies prioritising the recruitment of NYS personnel.

NYS recruits to be prioritised in employment

Furthermore, Ruto assured the recruits that they would be given preference for employment opportunities within the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and Kenya Forest Service (KFS).

"In the recruitment of our KWS officers, out of 790 officers recruited in the field, 447 were ex-NYS recruits, leading to my directive that all security agencies must give priority to our NYS men and women.

"I have said that they will be prioritised whenever we are recruiting to all security agents including KDF, KWS, MPS, and KFS because they come from local communities. And they will not get the opportunities if we do not do it with affirmative action," the president added.

NYS announces over 900 jobs for graduates

In another story, NYS announced over 900 opportunities for its graduates to work in Australia, with a salary of KSh 6.5 million per year.

The advertised positions include light vehicle mechanics (120 positions), diesel mechanics (100 positions), panel beaters (50 positions), and window fitters (38 positions).

According to the advert, the deadline for interested candidates to submit their applications is today, August 26.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke