Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management Moses Kuria has assured the general public that the forthcoming recruitment of National Youth Service (NYS) service men and women will be transparent.

In a statement, Kuria said he was committed to ensuring that the exercise that has been marred by allegations of nepotism and corruption in the past will be free and fair to everyone including "children of the poor."

The CS affirmed that there would be no side list as all candidates would battle it out in the field during the exercise scheduled to take place across the country from 5th to 9th, February 2024.

"NYS Recruitment will take place from Monday 5th to Friday 9th February. As promised by President William Ruto and myself, there is no side list. Kila mtu aingie uwanja. It is time to stand for the children of the poor," CS Kuria stated.

He maintained that no amount of coercion would make him change his mind.

"No amount of pressure and intimidation will make me backtrack on this. Hata nyinyi mnanijua (You all know me)," he added.

Over the weekend, President William Ruto also assured the nation that the NYS recruitment would be conducted fairly without any undue influence.

“I fully support the stance of Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, who has made it clear that there will be no specific list provided by my office, the Public Service Ministry, or the local MCAs indicating preferred candidates for NYS recruitment,” President Ruto said during his tour of Meru County on Saturday.

The recruitment exercise is scheduled to take place in all sub-counties countrywide.

NYS, in a public notice last week, said orphans who meet all the requirements will be given special preference during the recruitment, subject to production of sufficient documentary proof such as parents' death certificates or burial permits.

Persons with disability have also been encouraged to avail themselves at the recruitment centres provided they can withstand the NYS rigorous training.

To be considered for the position, one must be a Kenyan citizen and resident of the respective sub-county of recruitment. They must be aged between 18 to 24 years with a valid national identity card.

The prospective candidate must have attained a mean grade of D plain and above in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary School Education (KCSE) examination.