Nine NYS Graduates Join KWS as Rangers in Busia Recruitment Drive

BUSIA, Kenya — A recruitment drive conducted at the Busia County Stadium has resulted in nine former National Youth Service (NYS) graduates being selected as rangers for the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The event, which saw a large turnout from youths across Busia’s seven sub-counties, was completed with 16 recruits selected for ranger positions.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Deputy Director of KWS, the recruitment process was intensely competitive. “We managed to select 16 recruits after conducting a very competitive process,” he stated, noting that the process included three females among the successful candidates. Tokore emphasized that the recruitment began at 6 a.m. and was conducted openly, ensuring transparency with the public as witnesses.

Candidates were assessed based on several criteria, including possessing an original KCSE certificate with a minimum grade of D (plain) and meeting the age requirement of 18 to 26 years. Additionally, having a certificate from the NYS was considered an advantage. Tokore elaborated on the future roles of the recruited rangers, highlighting their involvement in reinforcing KWS operations, especially in addressing human-wildlife conflicts and combating illegal wildlife and wild meat trades.

The recruitment exercise, however, faced criticism from some youths who were disqualified due to not meeting the height requirement. They have called on KWS to reconsider this criterion to allow more candidates to participate in future recruitment efforts.