Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has announced plans by the government to create NYS Enterprises, a private company to undertake government projects.
Speaking to a local TV station on Wednesday, Kuria revealed that the National Youth Service (NYS) is already undertaking development projects in the country.
“We are creating something called NYS Enterprises which is a private company so that we improve on governance. When these people (NYS) go and do these jobs, they will not do it for free. They will be paid,” Kuria stated.
Kuria revealed that there are counties already using the NYS to undertake their projects, such as Kisumu which is constructing roads using personnel from NYS.
“We have got counties using the NYS. Kisumu roads are being done by NYS. Huduma Centres, which are under my docket, will be done by NYS, not by contractors,” Kuria added.
NYS is a State Corporation established under section 5 (1) of the NYS Act, 2018 to train and mentor Kenyan youth.
The entity, as currently constituted, is tasked with undertaking paramilitary training, technical and vocational training in various trades, national building programs, commercialization of assets to optimize utilization of its resources as well as research and innovation.
Kuria on Huduma Centres
Kuria says that in 2023, the government served over 13 million Kenyans from Huduma Centres, even as it plans to launch more advanced centres.
“Last year we served 13 million Kenyans from the Huduma Centers. Huduma Centres are extremely popular with the people. The ones I’m launching now are different. I’m using (the current) Huduma Centres as a transition mechanism, as you come to pick your ID, birth certificate, good conduct, passport, then I must show you how to use online services,” Kuria added.
According to the CS, the modern Huduma Centres will be digital centres where citizens can visit to access government services digitally.
“Because I’m putting wi-fi into my Huduma Centres, not only people are going to access government services, but also it becomes a digital hub. Young people can come and access the internet for free and can do jobs abroad,” he added.
He also said that the government is creating a digital hub in every ward where residents can access internet for free.
