'I have a plan for you,' Ruto wooes Kenyan youth with employment programmes

Speaking on Monday, March 16, 2026, the President said the government has put in place a deliberate plan to address youth unemployment through infrastructure projects and digital employment programmes.

He said projects such as road construction, affordable housing, markets and hostels are expected to create thousands of jobs for young people.

“Young people, I want you to listen to me carefully. For a long time, the government did not have a clear plan for the youth, but today we have opportunities and programmes aimed at creating jobs for them,” he said.

He challenged the youth to work hard and take up the opportunities being created under the government’s development agenda.

“All these projects we are rolling out, roads, affordable housing, building markets and hostels are meant to create jobs for our young people,” Ruto said.

The President also highlighted the government’s digital jobs initiative, saying it aims to connect Kenyan youth to online employment opportunities locally and abroad.

“We want our young people to access digital jobs and be able to work not only in Kenya but also for the global market,” he said.

Ruto noted that the government has already set aside Sh5 billion to support youth enterprises, adding that 120,000 young people have been facilitated to start and run their own businesses under the programme.

At the same time, the Head of State announced plans to expand electricity connectivity in Busia County, saying the government will spend Ksh1.5 billion to connect 16,000 new households to power this year.

“We have allocated Ksh1.5 billion to ensure that 16,000 households in Busia are connected to electricity this year,” he said.

Ruto said the initiative is part of efforts to ensure all Kenyans have access to electricity and to eliminate inequality in development across the country.

“Our goal is to ensure every part of Kenya has access to electricity and that no region is left behind in development,” he added.