NAIROBI, KENYA — The National Youth Service Alumni (NYS Alumni) has concluded an ambitious mentorship tour across NYS units in Nairobi Region, reaching over 8,500 servicemen and servicewomen with career guidance, leadership insights and practical industry experiences aimed at inspiring personal growth and preparing participants for future opportunities.
The tour commenced on 3rd June 2026 at NYS Camp TGTI and covered NYS Camp VTI, Nairobi Holding Unit (NHU), Mechanical and Transport Branch (MTB), and NYS Engineering Institute (NYSEI). Anchored on the pillars of Vocational Training and Nation Building, the initiative reaffirmed the Alumni's commitment to giving back to the institution that shaped its members.
Alumni Leading by Example
The mentorship initiative was led by Eng. Benjamin Masai, CICM, WCM, GradIOSH (Coy 2000), Head of Mentorship and Career Development, National Youth Service Alumni. The delegations were led by Nicholas J. Makokha, HSC, Patron of NYS Alumni and Deputy Commandant General, NYS.
Mentorship Team Alpha brought together alumni with professional experience in engineering, finance, transport, technology, business, occupational safety and corporate management. Their experiences demonstrated how NYS-instilled discipline, resilience, technical skills and integrity can support career advancement, entrepreneurship and leadership.
Mentorship Across Nairobi Region Units
At the Nairobi Holding Unit, discussions focused on career development, leadership, personal growth, industry expectations and post-service opportunities. Participants were encouraged to prepare early for career transitions, build professional networks and remain adaptable in a changing employment environment.
At the NYS Engineering Institute, alumni emphasised the connection between technical training, discipline and professional excellence. Trainees were encouraged to embrace integrity, resilience and continuous learning as foundations for long-term success.
The tour also covered NYS Camp VTI, extending mentorship opportunities to another important training unit and reinforcing the importance of connecting vocational preparation with future career opportunities.
MTB: Linking Vocational Training to Employment
At the Mechanical and Transport Branch (MTB), mentorship focused on career development, driving, electric mobility and sustainable transport. The engagement brought together NYS personnel, students, alumni and industry professionals to discuss workplace expectations and emerging employment opportunities.
A key contribution came from Greenwheels Africa, an NYS Alumni employer partner, whose delegation was led by Mercy Karimi, Head of Customer Operations. The team shared practical experiences in operations, vehicle servicing, maintenance, administration, training, driving and internships, demonstrating how NYS training can translate into employment and career progression, particularly in the electric mobility sector.
Outstanding students received tokens of appreciation in recognition of their participation and effort. The engagement highlighted the value of collaboration between training institutions, alumni and employers in creating pathways from skills development to employment.
Strengthening Connections and Nation Building
Across all participating units, the mentorship programme encouraged personnel and trainees to look beyond their immediate training and prepare for future professional opportunities. Interactive discussions enabled participants to learn from alumni experiences, understand industry expectations and appreciate the importance of discipline, initiative, adaptability and continuous learning.
The initiative also strengthened ties between serving personnel and the alumni community while demonstrating how professional networks and employer partnerships can support career development and employment linkages.
NYS Alumni acknowledges the support and hospitality extended by the respective unit commanders, including Anne Njoroge, ndc(K), ACG, Commanding Officer, NYS Camp VTI; Jane Kiogora, SACG, Deputy Patron of NYS Alumni, Regional Commander - Nairobi and Commanding Officer, NYS Camp Nairobi; and Priscilla Mathenge, ACG, Deputy Commanding Officer, MTB.
A Continuing Commitment to Nation Building
Reaching over 8,500 servicemen and servicewomen, the Nairobi Region tour marks an important milestone for Mentorship Team Alpha and reinforces NYS Alumni’s commitment to vocational training, career readiness, professional development and nation building.
Upcoming regional mentorship activities will be communicated in due course as the Alumni seeks to extend the initiative to more NYS units and strengthen collaboration among serving personnel, alumni, institutional leadership and industry partners.
Former NYS servicemen and servicewomen are encouraged to register through www.nysalumni.org and join the growing network dedicated to mentorship, professional development, employment linkages and continued service to the nation.
The uniform may eventually be set aside, but the values of discipline, service and nation building endure. Through Mentorship Team Alpha, NYS Alumni continues to turn these values into practical action, creating opportunities for the next generation.
National Youth Service Alumni — Prepared for Greatness.