Ruto urges youth to seize opportunities in Afffordable Housing programme
By Ascah Mwango, August 12, 2025President William Ruto has called on Kenyan youth to take advantage of jobs being created through the government’s affordable housing projects and other development initiatives.
Speaking during the International Youth Day forum at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, he urged young people to actively pursue opportunities instead of waiting for them to come to their doorsteps.
“I want to tell young people that opportunities will not come looking for you at home. You must go out and look for them,” he said, adding that the affordable housing programme is one of several projects offering employment across the country.
In Kakamega County, he noted that the affordable housing programme is creating employment in construction, supply chains, and related industries. Complementing this initiative are other projects such as the construction of student hostels, the establishment of 27 new markets, and the development of ICT hubs and Jitume labs.
Ruto stressed that many youths are excluded from these opportunities because they lack the necessary skills. To address this gap, he said the government is funding training programmes and issuing certificates to make them more employable. He encouraged young people to be proactive, seeking out information, pursuing available roles, and networking with their local leaders to secure work.
The President said, the youth can not only find jobs but also contribute to Kenya’s socio-economic growth.
“Here in Kakamega, we have an affordable housing programme that will provide jobs. We are also building student hostels and 27 new markets in the county. There will be ICT hubs, Jitume labs, and openings in the public benefit organisation sector. These are opportunities for you,” he stated.
Adding;
“If you do not have the skills, we are providing training at our cost and giving you certificates so you are employable. You must go out, look for those opportunities, even follow up with your MPs to connect you with available work.”
The affordable housing programme, launched in multiple counties, aims to address the housing shortage while spurring economic activity. It employs both skilled and unskilled labour, benefiting masons, carpenters, electricians, transporters, and others in related fields.
Although the government has positioned these projects as a solution to unemployment, some have questioned whether the jobs are truly accessible to local youth.