Ruto admits rising unemployment rate during Makueni tour
By David Nthua, November 12, 2025President William Ruto, in his own words, has admitted that unemployment among Kenyan youth remains one of the biggest challenges so far.
Ruto, who was speaking to locals in Makueni on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, said that his government has managed to reduce the burden of joblessness through the Affordable Housing Programme.
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He said that at least 600,000 young people who could have been jobless are now working in different housing projects across the country.
Youth benefiting from government projects
“Vijana hoyee! Vijana hoyiee! Vijana wa Emali mko? Mimi nataka niongee na nyinyi kwa sababu mimi ni rika ya baba yetu, si ndio. Mimi nataka niulize vijana, tuko na mipango mara nne ya wewe kujipanga na ajira.
“Kwa sababu tunakubaliana ya kwamba changamoto kubwa ni vijana wanamaliza shule na hawana kazi, si ndio?
“Kazi yetu ya kwanza ya kupanga hawa vijana ni program yetu ya housing, hostels, markets. Pale vijana, saa hii nikiongea na nyinyi, tuko na vijana 600,000.
“They are working in the program of housing as carpenters, plumbers, engineers. Iko kazi, kazi yako ni kujituma, wewe uende uapply kazi ukiendelea,” President Ruto said.
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He noted that the government is not only creating jobs locally but also preparing to export skills abroad.
According to the President, plans are underway to send trained youth to countries such as Qatar, where they will be able to earn in dollars.
Ajira and digital hubs expansion
Ruto added that the government has established Jitume ICT hubs in almost every ward across the country.
These centres, he said, are designed to equip young people with digital skills and give them access to online jobs through the Ajira Digital Programme.
The Head of State assured that his administration is focused on ensuring every hardworking youth has a fair chance at employment, either locally or internationally.
He encouraged the youth to take advantage of ongoing government projects, saying that Kenya’s economic recovery heavily relies on the energy and innovation of its young people.