Ruto announces return of Kazi Mtaani
President William Ruto has officially announced the revival of the Kazi Mtaani programme under a new name, “Climate Worx“.
According to Ruto, the rebranded Climate Worx programme will engage youth in activities such as tree planting, road construction, and environmental sanitation.
In his speech during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Homa Bay County, Ruto said that the initiative aims to provide employment opportunities for over 110,000 young Kenyans across all 47 counties.
Ruto highlighted that the programme, which began in Nairobi, had achieved significant success and would now extend to the remaining counties, focusing on informal settlements.
“I am equally pleased to report to the nation that, effective this week, we will commence the nationwide rollout of Climate Worx, a bold and ambitious initiative aimed at engaging over 110,000 young people across all 47 counties in meaningful work that strengthens our nation’s resilience, beginning with informal settlements,” Ruto announced.
“Launched last year in Nairobi, the programme has recorded significant success and is now being expanded to the remaining 46 counties. Structured as a social protection programme, Climate Worx will engage youth to deliver vital public goods, including the construction of roads, the planting of trees, and the improvement of environmental sanitation within their localities.”
The head of state, in addition, stated that through the Climate Worx programme, the government is not merely providing immediate financial assistance but also creating pathways for young people to pursue future opportunities.
He emphasised that the initiative will also offer financial relief and serve as a bridge to enable youth to launch businesses, further their education, or secure long-term employment.
“Through Climate Worx, we are not just offering a pay cheque for today; we are providing financial relief and a bridge to future opportunities, enabling young people to pursue their next steps, whether in launching a business, furthering their education, or stepping into long-term employment,” he added.
Kazi Mtaani
Originally launched in 2020 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kazi Mtaani offered temporary employment to youth in informal settlements.
The youth worked from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm from Monday to Friday, except public holidays. The regular workers were paid Ksh450, while supervisors got Ksh550 after working in shifts of two weeks.
Speaking during the second day of the ongoing inaugural East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit at the PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort Convention Centre in Mombasa, on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Uhuru revealed why he launched the Kazi Mtaani initiative at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic which plagued the last part of his administration.
“Many urban citizens rely on a daily income to sustain themselves. With many casuals at home as a result of the lockdown without a source of income, the big question remained: how could we effectively look after this part of our population,” Uhuru revealed.
“That is how my government came up with the Kazi Mtaani programme. The programme was intended to put money in people’s pockets to be able to sustain themselves during the difficult time.”
However, the programme was discontinued in 2022, with Ruto expressing intentions to replace it with more sustainable employment solutions.
