President William Ruto has unveiled a new youth employment initiative aimed at expanding internship opportunities and equipping thousands of young Kenyans with practical skills needed to secure jobs or start businesses.
Speaking during the launch of the Next Generation Youth Employment Programme (NextGen.KE) at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, July 24, Ruto said the government had committed KSh 2 billion to the initiative, which is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
The president said the programme would initially benefit 30,000 young people, before being expanded to reach 100,000 beneficiaries over the next three years.
How NextGen.KE will support Kenyan youth
According to Ruto, the programme will offer structured internships within the private sector alongside training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, workplace readiness and life skills.
He said 15,000 graduates will undertake stipend-supported internships, while the remaining participants will receive specialised training to prepare them for employment and entrepreneurship.
Ruto described internships as a crucial bridge between education and employment, arguing that employers increasingly value practical experience alongside academic qualifications.
“Every civilisation has passed on its knowledge from one generation to another. Before anyone becomes a master of a profession, they must first become an apprentice. Internships are the bridge between learning and earning, between potential and performance, and between ambition and achievement,” he said.
Ruto highlights government’s youth initiatives
The president said the new programme builds on a series of government initiatives aimed at tackling youth unemployment.
He cited the recruitment of more than 100,000 teachers, saying the figure would rise to 120,000 by the end of 2026.
Ruto also highlighted the Affordable Housing Internship Programme, which he said had placed more than 5,200 young people in internships while contributing to the creation of over 642,000 jobs.
He added that the government had expanded the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, certifying 2,088 artisans, including 180 women, enabling them to access formal contracts and better-paying opportunities.
On entrepreneurship, the president said the NYOTA programme is targeting 820,000 young people, with more than 122,000 beneficiaries already receiving capital to start or grow businesses.
He further noted that 1.9 million Kenyans had been equipped with digital skills, resulting in the creation of 350,000 digital jobs, while more than 580,000 young Kenyans had secured employment abroad through the government’s labour mobility programme.
Ruto calls on private sector to support youth
The president urged private sector employers to partner with the government by opening up internship opportunities and mentoring young professionals.
He said the success of the initiative would depend on collaboration between government, development partners and businesses.
“The government’s commitment of KSh 2 billion is more than a financial investment. It is a declaration of confidence in the limitless potential of Kenya’s young people and in the future of our nation,” Ruto said.
He also challenged young Kenyans to prioritise learning and skills development over immediate financial gain, saying the knowledge and experience gained during the early stages of their careers would determine their long-term success.
“Your first job is not merely a source of income. It is your next great classroom. Every task, every mentor and every challenge prepares you for opportunities you cannot yet see,” he said.