NYS officers living a dog's life despite their dedication and service

President William Ruto during the National Youth Service recruits passing-out parade at NYS paramilitary Academy in Gilgil, on December 8, 2023. [File, Standard]

Thousands of men and women in the National Youth Service are living in squalid conditions despite playing a key role in keeping order in government installations and their dedication to serve.

They also play key roles during disasters in the country yet when they retire to their homes, some without food, shelter and medication, the taskforce led by retired Chief Justice David Maraga has established.

NYS officers are regularly called upon to assist National Police Service and Kenya Defense Forces in joint operations and are potential members of the KDF reserve.

However, the findings lay bare how the officers are struggling to make ends meet despite being subjected to rigorous training just like officers from the National Police Service.

The technical team explored three key areas where the NYS officers have been neglected among them mental health, medical compensation, housing and their outfits.

More worrying is that some of the officers who die in the line of duty are not compensated like their counterparts in the disciplined forces.

For instance, between 2012 and 2022, 18 NYS uniformed officers were killed and 13 were injured in the line of duty but their families had not been compensated by 2023, when the report was handed over to the Head of State.

The report says NYS officers do not have a comprehensive medical scheme and push to develop a scheme pursuant to the NYS Strategic Plan 2019 – 2023 have not been implemented. 

“It was submitted that even servicemen and women in the field units often lack basic medical amenities or aid that would enable them to get treatment for minor ailments or injuries,” the report says

About a decade ago, NYS officers were involved in building a wall in Mandera to tame terrorism attacks and were also involved in Linda Nchi operations in Boni forest under Kenya Defense Forces.

“However, while KDF officers are armed and have comprehensive compensation schemes and medical cover, the servicemen and women have neither,” the report says

In the 2022 General Election, one serviceman lost his life in the fracas that erupted during the 2022 elections, which highlights the risks these valuable servants of the nation regularly face.

The taskforce established that given the nature of work done by the servicemen and women, and the risks they are exposed to, it was unreasonable that they do not have medical cover to enable them to receive treatment when they fall sick or suffer injuries. 

Among the recommendations by the experts were that the Service ought to establish fully equipped medical facilities including a Level 4 hospital and dispensaries in every field unit and station to provide medical aid.

It also emerged that several officers in the service are battling mental challenges owing to the demands brought about by the peculiar nature of their work, the disciplined services have been disproportionately affected by mental health problems.

The team noted that mental health should form an important part of human resource policies for NYS, just like it is in many other institutions.

It was also noted that symptoms of mental health issues arise out of poor working environment and lack of psychosocial support systems.

“Since 2012, a total of 65 NYS officers have been admitted to rehabilitation centres for various reasons including mental health challenges, with the highest numbers 20 and 12   being recorded in 2019 and 2012, respectively,” the report says

To address the challenge, the experts recommended that NYS should develop a policy on mental health to address issues of stigma and psychological counselling be included in   all   training programmes of the Service for members

At the same time, the officers decried the state of housing as presenting a big challenge with the few available houses being in a deplorable state characterised by leaking roofs, walls and sewers, poor lighting, and a general state of disrepair.

It was also stated that accommodation is inadequate and presents a big challenge in the entire Service.

 This has precipitated mental anguish, moral decadence, family breakups, and other traumatic experiences for the officers and a toxic development environment for growing children. 

Currently, the report says the Service has 1,087 houses against a requirement of 2,247 staff, whose needs are managed by the State Department for Housing.

“Some units and stations, especially those in hardship areas, have makeshift structures to house members of the Service,” the report says.

“Some units and stations, especially those in hardship areas, have makeshift structures to house members of the Service.”