President William Ruto on Tuesday reiterated his administration’s commitment to empowering the youth through jobs, skills and access to capital, as 6720 young people from Meru, Tharaka-Nithi and Embu benefited from Sh168 million business start-up capital under the NYOTA programme.
While gracing the disbursement of the funds at Kinoru stadium, Ruto said the government had put in place deliberate and practical interventions aimed at addressing unemployment which continues to push many youths into crime among other vices.
A total of 110,000 youths countrywide will have, by February 3, received the first tranche of NYOTA funds of Sh22, 000, seeking to stimulate local economies and support new and existing enterprises.
“It’s the first time we have a plan on how to create jobs for the young people,” Ruto said.
Under the Kazi Majuu programme, Ruto revealed that 1,000 recruitment agencies involved in corrupt dealings had been deregistered, assuring of the government resolve to protect Kenyans seeking employment abroad.
An estimated 530,000 Kenyans have secured jobs overseas in the last three years, with between 300 and 500 leaving the country daily.
President Ruto further highlighted progress under the Affordable Housing Programme seeking to construct 240,000 housing units across the country, which he said had already created jobs for about 500,000 youths.
“An additional 300,000 young people are earning livelihoods in the digital space through ICT hubs and Jitume labs,” he added.
To support online work, the government has expanded fibre optic connectivity to over 30,000 kilometres nationwide, he said.
On infrastructure financing, the President said the government will invest Sh110 billion from the Sh120 billion to be realised from the sale of Kenya Pipeline Company to generate up to Sh1.2 trillion for the national infrastructure fund, which will unlock more employment opportunities.
“Kenya’s biggest challenge is leadership and once it’s sorted out, Kenya will become a first world country. We will transform Kenya in our lifetime.” He said, urging critics to allow him to deliver on his agenda, insisting his government had a “concrete and practical plan” to improve the lives of young people and grow the economy.
Additional projects aimed at creating youth employment include the construction of 400 new markets across the country and hostels to accommodate 180,000 students in tertiary institutions.
