The National Youth Service (NYS) has been mandated to manage the Climate Works Mtaani program that seeks to promote environmental sustainability.
President William Ruto who spoke during the pass-out parade of the new cohort in Gilgil said the agency will be in charge of the works to be undertaken by youths across the nation.
“I want to announce that NYS will be supervising the cohort of young people that shortly we will be recruiting under the initiative that will bring more young people into the space of greening Kenya,” he said.
He instructed the cabinet secretaries in charge of NYS, Environment, Housing, and Defence to steer the program as the country focuses on growing 15 billion trees as part of its response to climate change.
NYS is set to plant one billion trees by 2032.
In his address, Ruto also noted that the completion of the training by the youth marks a major milestone in their personal and professional development.
The government, he stated, is making arrangements to enable more young people benefit from the training and "attendant vocational training" that comes with it.
The head of state also expressed his satisfaction at the success of strategic partnerships and economic diversification initiatives at the NYS.
He cited the collaboration between the agency and the University of Nairobi Enterprise Services (UNES) limited which he said birthed growth in various sectors.
Ruto further highlighted various initiatives have been undertaken at NYS to improve the terms of service within the organisation and to embrace digital transformation that enhance transparency and efficiency in NYS operations.
“This commitment to accountability and service excellence is necessary because the government is committed to deliver full value of every shilling of resources and also because of the legacy of corruption and wastage which has haunted the agency is banished for good,” he said.
“As the nation’s foremost steward of public resources, I am determined to transform the NYS into a symbol of exemplary integrity, efficiency, and commitment to national transformation,” he added.
