NYS Announces Recruitment of Over 700 Officers; Lists Requirements
The National Youth Service (NYS) has announced a large-scale recruitment drive for over 700 positions, targeting both cadet officers and private recruits in a move aimed at expanding its workforce and offering employment opportunities to young Kenyans.
In a public notice dated Tuesday, March 3, the agency invited qualified applicants to apply for a diverse range of professional, technical, and support roles. The recruitment includes 250 cadet officer positions and 500 private posts, providing a significant opportunity for job seekers across the country.
“The Service is inviting applications from suitably qualified Kenyan youth for both cadet and private positions across various disciplines,” the notice stated, signalling one of the largest intakes by the institution in recent months.
The cadet officer positions are geared toward graduates and professionals in specialised fields. According to NYS, the roles available include engineers, accountants, auditors, supply chain officers, ICT specialists, clinical officers, laboratory technologists, and project management professionals.
Other vacancies under the cadet category include economists, marketing officers, corporate communication officers, agricultural and veterinary officers, hydrologists, chaplains, legal officers, and registered community health nurses.
Applicants for these positions are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in relevant disciplines such as Human Resource Management, Public Administration, Library and Information Science, Sports Science, Physical Education, or Community Development. Additionally, candidates must be Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 28 years, possess a valid national identity card and a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PIN certificate.
The service further noted that all successful applicants must meet strict medical fitness standards and be willing to undergo a mandatory nine-month paramilitary training programme conducted by NYS.
On the other hand, the 500 private posts are tailored for individuals with technical skills and practical experience in various trades. Positions advertised include drivers, plant operators, masons, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, band members, agricultural workers, secretaries, panel beaters, vehicle mechanics, welders, and general duty personnel.
“Applicants for private positions must have a minimum grade of D+ in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education or its equivalent, alongside relevant technical qualifications,” the agency clarified.
Candidates applying for private roles are also required to have completed initial NYS paramilitary training and possess a National Trade Test certificate, craft certificate, or diploma in their respective fields. As with cadet applicants, they must meet the required health and criminal record standards.
The recruitment comes at a time when youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge in Kenya, with government agencies increasingly being called upon to create structured opportunities for skills development and job placement. NYS, which operates under a paramilitary framework, has historically played a key role in equipping young people with vocational skills and discipline for both public service and private sector engagement.
To apply, interested candidates have been directed to download and complete the official Application for Employment Form available on the Public Service Commission website. Completed applications can be submitted via email or sent by post to the NYS Commandant General at the agency’s headquarters in Nairobi.
The deadline for submission of applications has been set for March 18, 2026, after which shortlisted candidates are expected to undergo a rigorous selection process.
The recruitment drive is expected to attract thousands of applicants nationwide, reflecting the high demand for employment opportunities and the continued relevance of NYS as a pathway for youth empowerment and national service.
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NYS Announces Recruitment of Over 700 Officers; Lists Requirements
