NYS Lowers KCSE Mean Grade for Recruitment
In an effort to include more Kenyans in future recruitments, the National Youth Service (NYS) has dropped the minimum Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade from the existing D plain to D – (minus).
In addition, NYS Director General James Tembur said in testimony before the National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities that the action will level the playing field for all young people, regardless of their background.
He reaffirmed that the new directive would be implemented during the next recruitment cycle.
“The Ministry has lowered the mean grade to enable youths from disadvantaged communities to have an opportunity to join NYS,” Tembur told the Aden Yusuf Haji-led Committee.
The lawmakers commended the move but urged the Director General to ensure equitable allocation of slots across the country.
Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge also highlighted that NYS had garnered significant attention following President William Ruto’s directive that Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel would be recruited from the organisation.
“The president’s directive has heightened interest in joining NYS, making transparency and equal distribution of slots during recruitment crucial,” Mathenge said.
The MPs voiced worries about rules that would prevent a large number of qualified applicants from enlisting in the Service.
In addition to having a high KCSE mean score, candidates must also be physically fit, have been born into Kenya, be between the ages of 18 and 24, and be able to produce documentation of a certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The session’s chair, Nakuru County MP Liza Chelule, praised NYS for its most recent hiring decision, which included taking into account applicants with impairments.
“You have done well in inclusion of people living with disabilities than most of the State institutions that appear before this Committee to address the same,” noted Chelule.
The DG, however, faced criticism for NYS not including any persons living with disabilities in its Council.
Tembur informed the Committee that the Service had a total of 2,201 officers, with 1,525 being male and 676 female.
“We have promoted 944 male and 510 female officers. Fourteen of the officers we promoted were disabled,” he stated.
NYS Lowers KCSE Mean Grade for Recruitment
