President William Ruto has called on Kenyan youth to seize the opportunities presented by various government initiatives aimed at addressing the high unemployment rates in the country. Speaking in Maragua, Murang’a County, on Thursday, Ruto highlighted three key programmes that his administration is rolling out to empower the youth.
According to the National Council for Population and Development, approximately 67% of Kenyan youth are unemployed, making up 35% of the country’s population. In light of this, President Ruto emphasized the importance of government initiatives in combating youth joblessness.
One of the major initiatives is the Affordable Housing Project, which has already begun constructing 150,000 housing units across the country. The project has provided employment for over 200,000 young people, particularly in skilled trades such as plumbing, masonry, carpentry, and electrical work. Ruto urged youth to look for job opportunities in this expanding sector.
In addition, the government is establishing ICT hubs in every ward, with each hub expected to employ between 200 and 300 people. These hubs aim to equip young people with valuable digital skills, offering them better employment prospects in the tech industry. The Ministry of ICT will provide instructors and necessary equipment once the MPs complete the hubs in their respective constituencies.
Ruto also emphasized the government’s focus on international job opportunities under the labour mobility programme. Through this initiative, youth will be deployed to work in countries like the United States, United Arab Emirates, France, and the United Kingdom. The President stated that these efforts aim to alleviate the negative effects of drug and alcohol addiction in regions grappling with high levels of unemployment.
In his speech, the President also addressed the issue of bursaries, urging the Controller of Budget (CoB) to allow county governments to issue bursaries to support disadvantaged children. Ruto reiterated that all children deserve educational support, regardless of whether it comes from the national or county government.
These efforts are part of Ruto’s broader strategy to reduce youth unemployment and improve living standards across Kenya.
