President William Ruto addresses International Youth Day celebrations at Masinde Muliro University, Kakamega County, on August 12, 2025. Photo/State House
By Daisy Okiring
President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to recognize the youth as the nation’s most valuable resource and a central driver of its growth. Addressing thousands of attendees at Masinde Muliro University in Kakamega County during International Youth Day celebrations, the President highlighted the unique energy, creativity, and resilience that young people bring to all sectors of the economy.
He challenged the narrative that youth are merely “leaders of tomorrow,” stressing that they are active builders of today’s Kenya. He described them as the architects shaping the country’s future and the engine powering its rise, adding that no mineral resource or natural wealth could match their potential.
Youth as the Engine of Kenya’s Future
Addressing thousands of attendees, Dr. Ruto dismissed the long-standing notion that youth are simply about the youth insisting they are builders of today.
“The single most decisive force that will shape Kenya’s destiny is not oil, gold, or any other natural resource — it is our youth,” he said. “They are the architects of our future and the driving engine powering Kenya’s rise to greatness.”
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The President noted that Kenyan youth have made remarkable contributions in fields ranging from science and technology to arts and sports. He emphasized that his administration’s policies are designed to give them the tools and opportunities needed to thrive in a competitive global market.
Expanding Skills and Job Opportunities
With close to 800,000 young people entering the job market each year, Dr. Ruto acknowledged the challenge of limited opportunities. He pledged to align educational training with modern industry needs, prioritizing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a critical driver of economic transformation.
“TVET graduates are three times more likely to start small enterprises within two years of graduation,” he said, adding that the government would modernize TVET institutions, update equipment, and strengthen partnerships with the private sector to increase apprenticeships and job placements.
The President also highlighted key initiatives tackling unemployment, including the Climate Worx programme, the Kandarasi Mtaani initiative, and an expanded Uwezo Fund. The latter will now cover expenses for young Kenyans seeking overseas employment as part of broader labour export strategies.
Ruto pointed to the Kenya Youth Employment Opportunities Project (KYEOP), which from 2018 to 2023 benefited more than 310,000 youths, as a model for success. Its successor, the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, attracted over one million applicants and will focus on employability, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.
A New Financial Boost for Youth Enterprises
In one of the most notable announcements of the day, the Head of State revealed that the government plans to establish the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB) before the end of the financial year.
The bank, to be capitalized at USD 75 million (KSh 9.75 billion), will provide financing, credit guarantees, and training for businesses founded and led by young people. Dr. Ruto said the move will create a sustainable pipeline for youth-led enterprises, helping them scale and compete both locally and internationally.
Throughout his speech, the President urged youth to take advantage of available opportunities, noting that the government is committed to removing barriers that have historically limited their progress.
“Kenya’s journey to prosperity will be written by the hands of its young people,” he concluded. “We will stand with them, invest in them, and trust them to lead us forward.”
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