President Ruto Relaunches Kazi Mtaani to Tackle Youth Unemployment

 

By Vivian Anyango 

President William Ruto has officially relaunched the Kazi Mtaani Initiative, a national youth employment program, during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations held in Homa Bay County. The move marks a significant policy reversal aimed at addressing the country’s growing youth unemployment crisis.

Speaking at the event, President Ruto said the government was responding to the increasing demand for job opportunities among young Kenyans, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.

“Stepping into long-term employment, the youths of Homa Bay—please be prepared. From next week, we will be rolling out Kazi Mtaani across the country,” he announced to loud applause. “A total of 110,000 young people will benefit from this program.”

Kazi Mtaani, which was initially launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to cushion vulnerable youth through short-term work opportunities, was discontinued in 2022. At the time, President Ruto argued that young people would be better served by integrating into the government’s Affordable Housing Plan, which he said would allocate 40% of related jobs to youth and small enterprises.

However, the relaunch of Kazi Mtaani signals a renewed focus on immediate job creation for unemployed youth, many of whom have been struggling with limited economic opportunities in the post-pandemic era.

The initiative, which previously involved public sanitation, beautification, and infrastructure maintenance projects, is expected to resume similar activities in counties across the country. The government has yet to release full implementation details, but more announcements are expected in the coming days.

Youth leaders and community organizations have welcomed the development, terming it a timely intervention amid a tough economic climate.

“This will be a huge relief for many young people who have been idling without jobs. We hope it is structured to provide both income and long-term skills,” said Millicent Achieng’, a youth representative from Homa Bay.

As the program rolls out, attention will be on the government’s ability to fund, monitor, and sustain the initiative to ensure it delivers meaningful impact beyond short-term relief.

June 02, 2025