Joy and emotion filled the air at the 89th National Youth Service (NYS) pass-out parade in Gilgil, Nakuru County, when a young graduand received a surprise gift from his mother, a brand-new smartphone.
In a viral video, the recruit, dressed in his NYS uniform and proudly wearing a sash reading "Congratulations," beamed as he unboxed the phone, contrasting it with his old handset popularly known as mulika mwizi.
His excitement was captured in a viral video, captioned, "Mother's love."
The mother, equally moved, celebrated her first-born's achievement with a heartfelt tribute, writing: "Congrats my womb-opener."
The touching exchange quickly resonated online, symbolising the sacrifices and pride families carry during the NYS journey.
But beyond the family moments, the event carried historic weight. Over 18,000 recruits - the largest cohort in NYS history - graduated on August 28, 2025. The pass-out parade, attended by President William Ruto, marked a turning point for the institution.
The President announced an ambitious expansion of the NYS, with recruitment set to rise from 18,000 to 100,000 in the next three years. He hailed the service's growing role in job creation and nation-building.
"NYS is becoming a productive enterprise in agriculture, engineering, construction, textiles, and hospitality. It is already producing maize meal, cooking oil, and fruit products, cutting costs, and generating revenue. Soon, NYS will also award nationally and internationally recognised qualifications," Ruto said.
He further directed the Ministry of Interior to absorb 4,000 NYS graduates into the National Police Service during the next recruitment of 10,000 officers, opening up immediate career opportunities for many.
For the jubilant graduand with his new phone, the day was not just about marching out of training grounds