Machakos County to Pilot National Youth Service Program in Partnership with Public Service Ministry

Machakos County is poised to become a frontrunner in Kenya’s revamped National Youth Service (NYS) program, following a meeting between Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and a delegation led by Dr. Consolata Mutisya, CECM for Education, ECDE, Vocational and Skills Training. Joining Dr. Mutisya were John Kilonzo, CECM for Gender, Youth, Sports and Social Welfare, and Stephen Mulei, Chief Officer for Vocational and Skills Training.

The meeting focused on establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the NYS-VTC Mashinani (VTCs in the counties) partnership. This initiative targets significant upgrades to vocational training offered at VTCs across Machakos County, which boasts 43 such institutions.

CS Kuria outlined an ambitious plan for a nationwide rollout of the County Youth Service program. Machakos County, alongside Uasin Gishu County, will spearhead the pilot phase. The NYS-VTC Mashinani partnership will introduce new diploma-level courses at VTCs, broadening educational prospects for Kenyan youth.

A substantial portion of the Public Service Ministry’s budget is dedicated to supporting NYS graduates transitioning to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. The current financial year allocation stands at Ksh.8 billion, primarily for tuition and accommodation expenses.

“Through the NYS-VTC Mashinani partnership, I propose to redirect these funds towards equipping VTCs,” CS Kuria explained. “This will empower them to train NYS graduates within their own communities. County governments will contribute by providing the necessary infrastructure.”

This strategic reallocation of resources is expected to significantly enhance the capabilities of VTCs. NYS graduates will benefit from skills training programs closer to home, improving their employability and entrepreneurial prospects. The initiative holds promise for stimulating regional economic growth and development.

The collaboration between the Public Service Ministry and Machakos County signifies a commitment to empowering young Kenyans with vital skills and knowledge. The NYS-VTC Mashinani partnership has the potential to serve as a model for future county-level youth development programs across Kenya.