Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has challenged youths across the country to turn out in large numbers to enlist in the National Youth Service.
Speaking Wednesday when he supervised the exercise in Kilifi north and Kaloleni subcounties, Mutua emphasized the government’s commitment to providing opportunities for youth empowerment and development.
“Graduates from the program will now receive priority consideration for employment in various government sectors including opportunities to join the police and armed forces,” he said.
At least 30,000 youth from across Kenya will be recruited to join the service this year.
Mutua at the same time expressed concern with the low turnout of females for the exercise in the region something he attributed to teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
He noted that these have impeded the development of the girl child in Kilifi as he called on the local administration to discourage practices such as night discos popularly known as ‘disco matanga’.
Mutua also encouraged teenage girls who may have gotten children to still offer themselves when such opportunities are announced.