Parliament Presented With Ksh300 Billion Youth Employment Proposal as Pressure Mounts Two Years After Gen Z Protests
A fresh push to tackle Kenya’s deepening youth unemployment crisis has landed in Parliament, with a youth lobby group proposing a massive Ksh300 billion employment package aimed at creating opportunities for millions of young Kenyans struggling to secure jobs.
The proposal, dubbed the “Ukombozi Budget”, was presented to Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo on Thursday, June 25, by the Youth and Young Aspirants League of the United Green Movement Party (UGM).
The petitioners are urging Parliament to approve a supplementary budget for the 2026/27 financial year, arguing that urgent intervention is needed to address what they describe as a national emergency affecting millions of young people.
According to the proposal, the programme would target an estimated three million unemployed youth across the country and would begin implementation from July 2026.
Significantly, the petition was submitted on the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z protests, with the lobby saying the initiative is intended to honour young Kenyans who lost their lives during the demonstrations while addressing the concerns that drove many to the streets.
In the petition, the group argued that unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges facing Kenya’s youth despite widespread calls for reforms following the protests.
“Most of the young people who were in the streets in 2024, 60 of whom were killed by police, wanted a better life for themselves, their families and all Kenyans to live lives of dignity as promised by the Constitution of Kenya 2010,” the proposal stated.
The document further noted: “Government has not responded to the issues that were raised by the youth in June 2024, including tackling spiralling youth unemployment.”
The proposal bears the endorsement of former Chief Justice David Maraga and recommends that the programme be established under the Social Protection sector.
Under the ambitious plan, Ksh168 billion would be allocated to support two million unemployed and unskilled youth through public works programmes. Each participant would receive a monthly stipend of Ksh7,000 for one year.
Another Ksh60 billion would be set aside for one-off grants of Ksh150,000 to 400,000 skilled but unemployed young people to help them establish businesses and create jobs.
The petition also proposes Ksh36 billion for vocational training and skills development targeting 600,000 youths, while Ksh28 billion would be used to administer and oversee the programme nationwide.
Beyond direct funding, the lobby group is calling for the creation of a national register of unemployed graduates, diploma holders and certificate holders. It is also seeking dedicated annual budget allocations for youth innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development.
According to the petitioners, Kenyans aged between 18 and 35 account for approximately 67 per cent of all unemployed citizens, while those under the age of 35 make up nearly three-quarters of the country’s population.
“Properly harnessed, this youth bulge will transform the country’s socio-economic status if sufficient jobs and employment are available,” the petition stated.
The proposal reignites a debate that dominated national conversations during the 2024 anti-government protests, when thousands of young people demanded economic reforms, accountability and employment opportunities.
It also comes just days after President William Ruto signed the Finance Bill 2026 into law, paving the way for the implementation of the Ksh4.8 trillion national budget for the 2026/27 financial year.
Whether Parliament will embrace the costly proposal remains to be seen, but the petition is likely to intensify pressure on lawmakers and the government to demonstrate how they intend to address one of Kenya’s most persistent and politically sensitive challenges.
Also Read: Police Intelligence Report Details Alleged Mobilisation Ahead of June 25 Protests