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{
    "id": 1378406,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1378406/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 62,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Embakasi Central, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mejjadonk Gathiru",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to Standing Order 44(2)(c), I wish to request a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection regarding the lack of transparency and equity in the recruitment of National Youth Service (NYS) volunteers. The Government, through NYS, recruits about 30,000 youth annually who are thereafter trained in various skills, including paramilitary, engineering, fashion and design, business management, catering, agriculture, secretarial, plant operations, construction and driving. They are also prepared for other national duties such as service in the Armed Forces, national reconstruction and disaster response. Recruitment of NYS servicemen and women is expected to be as representative as possible to ensure the majority of the interested youths get an opportunity to appear before the recruitment personnel. However, there have been numerous concerns from Members of Parliament and the public regarding the level of transparency and equity in the distribution of available NYS slots. During the launch of the 2024 recruitment, the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management indicated that the process would be undertaken at the ward level. However, this did not happen in most parts of the country, including Nairobi City County. There seems to be systematic interference in the process with the aim of denying certain members of the public, especially in Nairobi, the opportunity to engage in this noble national duty. Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I seek a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection on the following: 1. Could the Chairperson outline the steps that the Ministry of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management is taking to ensure that National Youth Service (NYS) recruitment is transparent, fair and conducted at the ward level, especially in Nairobi County, to avail maximum opportunity to all interested youth. 2. Could the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection and the Budget and Appropriation Committee take measures to ensure that the operation of NYS is carried out in utmost fidelity to the law and consider withholding funding to the NYS, either through Supplementary Budget or through the 2024-2025 estimates, unless proper measures are put in place to address Members’ concerns; 3. Could the Chairperson elaborate on measures being taken to ensure that the Ministry does not exploit the provision of Article 223 of the Constitution to access funds for NYS recruitment and operations, noting that NYS has been used as a conduit to siphon public money? Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}