NYS lowers KCSE mean entry grade to D-.

The National Youth Service (NYS) has lowered the minimum Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade from the current D plain to D- (minus) in its bid to accommodate more Kenyans in future recruitments.

While appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities, James Tembur, the NYS Director General, stated that the proposed move would create a level playing field for all youths, regardless of their backgrounds.

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,” stated Mathenge.

The MPs raised concerns that certain requirements could prevent many interested applicants from joining the Service.

In addition to attaining a certain grade in the KCSE examination, candidates must meet other eligibility criteria to apply for certain opportunities. 

Specifically, candidates must be Kenyan citizens by birth, aged between 18 and 24 years old, physically fit, and able to provide a certificate of good conduct issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Nakuru County MP Liza Chelule, who chaired the session, praised NYS for considering people with disabilities in their latest recruitment.

“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.

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