Kithure Kindiki has announced sweeping new employment targets, saying the Government is scaling up its youth jobs strategy with the aim of creating at least one million opportunities under key programmes by the end of 2026.
Speaking in Karen after a high-level review meeting with Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and heads of government agencies, Kindiki said the administration has been implementing a structured five-pronged jobs initiative since September 2022.
“For the first time in our history, we have a sustained, deliberate, intentional and measurable programme to create as many jobs and income opportunities as possible,” Kindiki said.
He noted that the meeting reviewed progress made so far, addressed challenges slowing implementation and set new targets for the year ending December 31, 2026.
840,000 Jobs under infrastructure and climate programmes
Kindiki said approximately 300,000 formal jobs have been created in the public sector since 2022.
Under the Kazi kwa Ground stream — which includes affordable housing, markets, student accommodation and institutional housing — 500,000 jobs have been generated so far.
In addition, 40,000 youths are currently employed under the labour-based Climate Worx programme, largely through the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration initiative.
“We have agreed that the Kazi kwa Ground programme should now target one million jobs, while the Climate Worx component should scale up to 300,000 jobs by December 31, 2026,” he said.
He described the housing and climate initiatives as critical pillars for absorbing large numbers of young people into structured employment.
Digital and overseas jobs to hit one million each
Kindiki said the Kazi Mtandaoni programme — which focuses on online work, Jitume Labs, ICT hubs and business process outsourcing — has created 316,000 jobs.
Meanwhile, the Kazi Majuu labour mobility programme has secured 541,000 overseas employment opportunities for Kenyans.
“Kazi Mtandaoni and Kazi Majuu programmes should each target one million jobs by the end of December,” Kindiki stated.
He said the labour mobility initiative is opening structured employment pathways abroad, while digital platforms are expanding income streams for youth working remotely.
Blue economy and micro-business support expanded
In the blue economy sector, the Kazi Baharini programme has created 110,000 jobs through fisheries and maritime-related investments.
Kindiki said the target is now to increase that number to 500,000 by the end of 2026.
At the same time, he pointed to support for entrepreneurship and micro-enterprises as a key component of the Government’s broader economic empowerment plan.
Currently, 820,000 beneficiaries are supported under the NYOTA programme, which backs start-up micro businesses. An additional 200,000 small-scale traders are expected to benefit under the soon-to-be-launched Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) programme.
“These interventions will significantly add to the economic empowerment opportunities available to our young people,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President maintained that the administration’s approach is structured around measurable outcomes rather than short-term interventions.
“Our focus is not just numbers, but sustained income opportunities that can transform households and strengthen the economy,” he said.
If the revised targets are achieved, millions of employment and income opportunities could be generated across infrastructure, digital work, overseas placements, blue economy ventures and small enterprises by the close of 2026.
