The National Youth Service (NYS) in Kenya has re-advertised 10 vacancies for cadet chaplains across four religious groups. The positions include three for Catholic chaplains, three for Protestant chaplains, two for Seventh Day Adventist chaplains, and two for Muslim chaplains. Successful candidates will serve on permanent and pensionable terms, with salaries aligned to the existing NYS salary scale, and be covered under the SHA Scheme for Civil Servants.
To be eligible, applicants must be Kenyan citizens aged between 27 and 36 years, with a valid national identity card and a KRA PIN certificate. They must also have no criminal record, be medically fit, and satisfy the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution. A bachelor's degree in a recognised discipline, such as Sacred Theology, Christian Philosophy, or Islamic Studies, is mandatory. Additionally, applicants must hold a Certificate of Ordination, a valid government practising licence, and a letter of recommendation from the head of their respective church or mosque.
The recommending institution must be affiliated with one of the following bodies: the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KECB), the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), the East African Union of Seventh Day Adventist (EAU/WAU), or the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM). Candidates applying for the Seventh Day Adventist posts must demonstrate at least three years of experience as a serving senior cleric, chaplain, or pastor within that church.
Proficiency in computer applications is required of all applicants, regardless of denomination. Interested candidates must download and complete the Application for Employment Form PSC 2 (Revised 2016) from the Public Service Commission website. Completed forms can be submitted by email, post, or hand delivery to NYS headquarters in Ruaraka. All applications must reach Commandant General James K. Tembur by October 19, 2026.
The National Youth Service's job advertisement comes as Kenya's Public Service Commission conducts a recruitment drive for 851 vacancies across ministries, state departments, and public universities. Applications for these positions are open until October 13, 2026, through the PSC website. The Office of the Attorney General accounts for 518 promotional positions, while other opportunities range from university leadership roles to technical and entry-level posts.
Successful recruits will serve as cadet chaplains, providing spiritual support to NYS personnel. The selected candidates will be required to work within the NYS headquarters on Thika Road, Ruaraka, or other designated locations. The NYS is a critical institution in Kenya, responsible for providing a range of services, including national youth training and community development programs.
The application process for the cadet chaplain positions involves several steps, including submission of application forms, verification of academic and professional credentials, and interviews. The NYS will only consider applications that meet the specified requirements and are received by the deadline. Applicants are advised to carefully review the job advertisement and follow the application instructions to ensure their submissions are processed.
Key points
- The National Youth Service is recruiting 10 cadet chaplains across four religious groups on permanent and pensionable terms.
- Applicants must be aged between 27 and 36 years, hold a relevant bachelor's degree, and have a Certificate of Ordination and a valid government practising licence.
- The application deadline is October 19, 2026, and interested candidates can submit their applications by email, post, or hand delivery to NYS headquarters in Ruaraka.
