NYS issues advisory to alumni ahead of police recruitment exercise

Previous police recruitment/FILE

The National Youth Service (NYS) has issued a public communiqué directing all ex-NYS graduates to adhere strictly to updated guidelines for the Kenya Police recruitment scheduled for November 17, 2025.

The notice follows an addendum to the 2025 Kenya Police Recruitment Advertisement, which introduced Ruaraka—NYS Headquarters—as an additional recruitment centre.

In the statement released by the NYS Employment Liaison Office, ex-NYS members were informed that the primary recruitment venue for them will be the NHU Grounds, located off Thika Road opposite the Utalii Hotel.

The clarification aims to guide former service members who may have been preparing to report to Ruaraka.

According to the communiqué, the Ruaraka centre will now serve exclusively ex-NYS candidates who hold a valid NYS Discharge Certificate.

The agency also reminded applicants that they must fully meet all qualifications listed in the official Kenya Police recruitment advertisement.

The advisory further urged candidates to download, complete and present the Police Constable Application Form made available through an online link provided in the notice.

The document emphasised that these preparations should be completed ahead of the recruitment date, given the short notice of the communication.

In an additional guidance note, the Employment Liaison Office advised ex-NYS members to prioritise reporting to their respective sub-counties, as instructed in the national recruitment advertisement.

This, the office noted, would minimise confusion and help streamline the nationwide exercise.

“The Employment Liaison Office advises all esteemed Ex-NYS members to prioritize reporting to their respective sub-counties, as emphasized in the official Kenya Police recruitment advertisement,” the communiqué stated.

The notice also underscored that entrance into the NHU Grounds will require presentation of a valid NYS Discharge Certificate, which will serve as the official gate pass on the day of recruitment.

The advisory comes as thousands of ex-NYS graduates across the country prepare to participate in the national police recruitment exercise, which traditionally sees high turnout from youth seeking entry into the disciplined services.

On Friday, the High Court  issued fresh interim directions that temporarily alter the earlier suspension of the planned nationwide police recruitment, restoring the status quo as of November 10, 2025.

In the first directive, Justice Bahati Mwamuye stayed the conservatory orders issued on November 10, 2025, which had halted the police recruitment announced for November 17.

This comes days after an activist, Eliud Matindi, launched a legal challenge to the exercise.

“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the 1st Interested Party/Applicant's Notice of Motion Application dated 13/11/2025, the conservatory orders issued on 10/11/2025 in this matter are stayed, and the obtaining status quo ante in place immediately before their issuance shall apply in the interim,” the judge ruled.

By staying those orders, the judge clarified that the conservatory suspension is paused only temporarily and only to allow an application by one of the parties to be heard fairly.

The recruitment exercise in question was announced by Inspector-General Douglas Kanja on November 4, 2025.