President William Ruto has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for young Kenyans, unveiling a raft of job creation and empowerment initiatives during the International Youth Day celebrations in Kakamega.
Speaking at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the President said the government is implementing bold, strategic, intentional and multi-pronged initiatives to address youth unemployment, which he described as one of Kenya’s greatest challenge but also its greatest opportunity.
“For the first time in the history of Kenya, we are implementing programmes that directly target the creation of decent, sustainable jobs for our young people, which is Kenya’s greatest asset,” Ruto said.
He highlighted flagship initiatives such as the Affordable Housing Programme, which is employing thousands in the construction sector; labour mobility schemes enabling Kenyans to work abroad; the establishment of digital hubs to equip youth with ICT skills and ClimateWorx, a green jobs programme.
He also announced the government’s continued investment in entrepreneurship through business support, mentorship and training. This includes financial literacy programmes, affordable credit and grants and access to government procurement opportunities reserved for youth-led enterprises.
During the event, the Head of State presented cheques worth KSh163 million to support 816 young Kenyans who have secured overseas employment through the Labour Mobility Programme. The funds will facilitate their transition, covering costs such as travel and settlement abroad.
In a bid to make youth access to government tenders and business opportunities more seamless, President Ruto launched the Kuna Form portal , a digital platform designed to simplify application processes for procurement and support programmes targeting young entrepreneurs.
“This is about removing barriers. Our young people have the ideas, the energy and the drive. What they need is a clear, transparent pathway to opportunities and that’s what Kuna Form delivers,” he said.
The President tied his remarks to this year’s International Youth Day theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” noting that young people are uniquely positioned to translate global development goals into community-led initiatives.
“The Sustainable Development Goals are not just international commitments , they are local missions. It is our youth who will lead in making these goals a lived reality,” Ruto told the gathering, which included Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, senior government officials and youth representatives from across the country.
President Ruto closed his speech in Kakamega with a pledge to keep youth issues at the centre of government policy, stating that job creation, skills development and economic empowerment are non-negotiable pillars of Kenya’s future.
“Our young people are not a problem to be solved — they are the solution to our nation’s progress. We will invest in them, trust them and walk with them as partners in building a better Kenya,” he concluded.
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