Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts CS Ababu Namwamba has committed to ensuring 20,000 youth are enlisted into the National Youth Service annually.
Speaking on Monday at NYS headquarters in Nairobi after the Service was officially transferred to the ministry, Ababu said he envisions a transformed NYS that will be an enabler and driver of the government manifesto and other development agendas.
"I endeavour to support the Service to attain the targeted youth intake of 20,000 annually, to upscale national service functions with particular emphasis on climate-smart agriculture and value addition for increased food production, propagation of tree seedlings and tree planting," Ababu said.
He said he will seek to harness the ingenious energy of Kenyan youth for the realization of the country's prosperity including Vision 2030 as well as improved food supply chain and climate change mitigation measures.
The CS also pledged to foster youth innovation to stimulate start-ups and the growth of MSMEs among the youth for increased job opportunities.
Towards this end, the CS called for the introduction and strengthening of progressive policy and legal and institutional reforms that will guarantee greater efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability in the management of the NYS.
He stressed the need to uphold the guiding principles of professionalism and discipline in all undertakings of the Service.
"These values constitute a unique blend of selling points that continue to define NYS as a premier organization in training youth and providing service to the nation."
Ababu commended outgoing Public Service CS Margaret Kobia for steering the NYS to new heights by tirelessly working towards its revitalization.
"Gradually, the name NYS has evolved from one that evokes pessimism to one that inspires hope and admiration," he said.
NYS's reputation took a turn for the worst when the Service was in2018 hit with Sh10.5 billion scandal in alleged payments involving fictitious contracts.
