President Ruto Unveils Major Youth Funding Plan as 90,000 Set for Paid Skills Training
President William Ruto has announced a sweeping new government-backed skills programme targeting tens of thousands of unemployed young Kenyans, as part of his administration’s push to tackle joblessness and unlock what he described as the country’s “untapped youth potential”.
Speaking in Eldoret on Thursday, January 8, the Head of State revealed that 90,000 young people will benefit from a paid on-the-job training initiative, under which participants will be attached to experienced master craftsmen and women to acquire practical skills.
Under the programme, each trainee will receive a Ksh6,000 monthly stipend for six months, while the government will also meet the cost of certification and pay the master craftsmen facilitating the training.
“At the same time, we will support another 90,000 young people to undergo on-the-job training,” Ruto said. “They will be attached to master craftsmen and women for skills transfer and receive a Ksh6,000 stipend a month for six months. The master craftsmen will also be paid, as the government meets the cost of certification.”
However, the President did not disclose the selection criteria for beneficiaries or provide a specific timeline for when the programme will begin, leaving questions over how the initiative will be rolled out nationwide.
The announcement comes amid growing pressure on the government to deliver tangible employment opportunities for young people, who make up the majority of Kenya’s unemployed population.
In addition to the training scheme, Ruto disclosed that the government plans to train 600,000 persons with disabilities, enabling them to fully participate in public procurement opportunities that have already been legally reserved for them.
The President expressed confidence that the combined interventions would play a critical role in stimulating economic growth, particularly through digital jobs, affordable housing projects, and other large-scale infrastructure programmes.
Ruto also confirmed increased support for youth already enrolled in the NYOTA programme, stating that 20,000 participants under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) component will have their certification courses fully funded, easing their transition into formal employment.
Furthermore, the Head of State revealed that the government has already disbursed Ksh250 million to 9,500 young entrepreneurs across Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, and West Pokot counties.
“Each beneficiary has received Ksh22,000 to grow their enterprises,” Ruto said. “An additional Ksh3,000 has been deposited into the young businesspeople’s savings accounts at the National Social Security Fund.”
Addressing concerns over corruption and political favoritism, the President insisted that strict safeguards had been put in place to ensure transparency and merit-based selection.
“I am very happy that there is no one who has been pushed to be here or anyone who has bribed anyone to be here,” Ruto said. “If there is anyone who has bribed his way to this list, let them stand.”
The government says the initiatives form part of its broader economic agenda aimed at empowering young people with practical skills, access to capital, and pathways into sustainable employment.
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President Ruto Unveils Major Youth Funding Plan as 90,000 Set for Paid Skills Training