Jalango's ODM MP reintroduces Bill making NYS training compulsory after Form Four

• Langata MP Phelix Odiwuor reintroduces a Bill making National Youth Service (NYS) training compulsory for all students after completing secondary school.
• The proposed legislation would require Form Four graduates to undergo NYS training before proceeding to university, college or the job market.
• The government's expansion plans for the NYS aim to increase annual recruitment from 20,000 to 100,000 recruits by 2028.

We want young people to learn discipline, become patriotic, gain practical skills and grow into resilient men and women

The reintroduction of a Bill making National Youth Service (NYS) training compulsory for all students after completing secondary school has significant implications for employment and recruitment practices in Kenya. The proposed legislation, if passed, would require Form Four graduates to undergo NYS training before proceeding to university, college or the job market. This shift from a voluntary enlistment system to a mandatory one could lead to changes in how employers prioritize candidates with NYS experience. In particular, lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the potential implications on recruitment practices, especially for disciplined services such as the National Police Service.

The government's expansion plans for the NYS, announced by President William Ruto in 2025, aim to increase annual recruitment from 20,000 to 100,000 recruits by 2028. This ambitious goal positions the institution as a key pillar of youth skills development, employment, and nation-building. However, the proposed Bill's focus on making NYS training compulsory raises questions about the potential impact on existing recruitment practices.

The emphasis on discipline, technical skills, and national values in the NYS training program could lead to a prioritization of graduates during recruitment into disciplined services. This has significant implications for employers and recruiters who may need to adapt their hiring processes to accommodate this new requirement.

Langata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalango, is reintroducing a Bill that seeks to make NYS training mandatory for all students after completing secondary school. The proposed legislation is in its final stages before being tabled in Parliament and would require Form Four graduates to undergo NYS training before proceeding to university, college or the job market. This move aims to instill discipline, patriotism, and practical skills in young people, according to Jalango.

The National Youth Service (NYS) is a program established in 1964 that equips young Kenyans with technical, vocational, and life skills while promoting national cohesion and public service. Under the current legal framework, recruitment into the service is voluntary through periodic nationwide enlistment exercises. However, Jalango's proposal seeks to make participation compulsory.

The reintroduction of the Bill comes as the government pursues an ambitious expansion of the NYS, with plans to increase annual recruitment from 20,000 to 100,000 recruits by 2028. President William Ruto announced this plan in August 2025 during the 89th National Youth Service Recruits Passing-Out Parade in Gilgil.

The proposed Bill would require all Form Four graduates to undergo NYS training before proceeding to university, college or the job market. This would replace the current voluntary enlistment system and make participation in the program compulsory. The National Youth Service (NYS) is mandated to equip young Kenyans with technical, vocational, and life skills while promoting national cohesion and public service.

Several countries operate mandatory or structured national service programs to prepare young people for adulthood and national development. Kenya's proposed legislation would align with these international best practices, making participation in the NYS training program compulsory.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential implications of a compulsory National Youth Service (NYS) training program on employment and recruitment practices in Kenya, particularly with regards to the prioritization of NYS graduates during recruitment into disciplined services.

Source: Original reporting via ODM MP fronts Bill making NYS training compulsory after Form Four