President William Ruto has launched a KSh2 billion youth employment programme that aims to equip more than 100,000 young Kenyans with work experience, entrepreneurship skills and workplace training over the next three years.
The Next Generation of Kenya Youth Employment Programme, unveiled at State House, Nairobi, is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment by providing structured internships in the private sector, entrepreneurship training, financial literacy and workplace readiness skills.
Speaking during the launch on Friday, President Ruto said the programme will accelerate youth economic empowerment by connecting young people with practical work opportunities and skills needed to compete in the labour market.
“Over the next three years, it will accelerate inclusive youth economic transformation by connecting young people with meaningful work experience and practical skills,” he said.
Under the programme, 15,000 graduates will undertake paid internships in private sector organisations, where they will gain practical experience, professional discipline and industry exposure.
The remaining beneficiaries will receive specialised training designed to prepare them for employment, entrepreneurship and long-term career development.
Ruto announced that the first 10,000 youth will join the programme within the next three months before it is expanded nationwide to reach more than 100,000 beneficiaries.
The President said the government’s KSh2 billion investment reflects its commitment to creating employment opportunities and strengthening Kenya’s economic competitiveness.
“It is an investment in productivity, competitiveness and long-term economic growth,” he said.
He added that government funding for the initiative will increase to KSh5 billion next year and appealed to development partners to support the programme so that more young people can benefit.
Ruto also challenged the private sector to continue creating internship opportunities, mentoring young professionals and sharing workplace experience to prepare the next generation of skilled workers.
He commended UNDP for partnering with the government to implement the initiative, saying the organisation’s global expertise would help strengthen Kenya’s youth employment agenda.
The President further said Kenya should leverage its skilled workforce to position itself as a global hub for service exports while creating more opportunities for young people.
He cited several government initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, noting that more than 122,000 young people have already benefited from the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, which provides financial support for business start-ups and expansion.
Ruto added that the government has employed more than 100,000 teachers over the past three years, while the Affordable Housing Programme has created approximately 642,000 jobs.
He also said over 540,000 Kenyans have secured employment abroad through the government’s labour mobility programme.
“We are creating opportunities through which young people discover their talents, develop mastery and realise their full potential,” the President said.
The launch was attended by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, UN Resident Coordinator Garry Conille, UNDP Resident Representative Jean-Luc Stalon, KEPSA Chairman Jaswinder Bedi and several principal secretaries.
