President William Ruto has voiced his deep concern regarding the increasing number of unemployed youth in Kenya, emphasizing the urgent need to create opportunities for this demographic.
During his public engagements, Ruto noticed a significant presence of young people, which he considers a major issue that demands attention. He highlighted the importance of providing these individuals with meaningful economic prospects.
Reflecting on his recent visit to Kisumu, he expressed his surprise at the number of young attendees at his meetings, stating, “As a leader, I feel a profound responsibility to address the future of our youth. The large turnout of young people in Kisumu truly concerns me; we must prioritize their needs and aspirations.”
Ruto emphasized the necessity for Kenya to generate sufficient jobs to accommodate the expanding youth population, identifying agriculture and agro-processing as sectors ripe with potential.
“We have vast opportunities within agro-processing. Our agricultural sector can absorb a significant workforce, but we must also transition towards a service-oriented economy,” he asserted.
The President pointed out Kenya’s competitive edge in developing a service economy, attributing this advantage to the nation’s skilled workforce, strong education system, English proficiency, and exceptional work ethic. He remarked that Kenyan workers stand out on the global stage.
“We are fortunate to possess some of the finest human resources worldwide. Our proficiency in English, coupled with our solid education and industrious nature, makes us highly competitive,” he stated. “If any global company were to choose between a Kenyan and candidates from elsewhere, they would undoubtedly favor the Kenyan.”
In a media engagement on Monday, Ruto shared that his administration has successfully reduced inflation, stabilized the exchange rate, and doubled foreign exchange reserves compared to 2022 levels.
“Kenya ranks as the sixth-largest economy in Africa,” he noted, adding that the true measure of his administration will be reflected in the improvements in the lives of Kenyans.
“You may be able to deceive some people occasionally, but you cannot deceive all the people continuously,” Ruto remarked.
He also highlighted significant infrastructure investments as part of the government’s broader development strategy, announcing the allocation of Sh180 billion to settle payments for stalled projects.
These funds will facilitate the advancement of road projects nationwide, including initiatives in Kisumu and its surrounding areas. Ruto disclosed that approximately 270 kilometers of roads in the region are currently under construction, with an investment of Sh23 billion, and new projects, such as the Ching-Kibos road, have been initiated.
