Take advantage of state programmes, youth urged

Murang'a youths during a training session at a nursery in Punda Milia area in Maragua on August 9, 2025./ALICE WAITHERA

As many youth continue to fiercely critique the government and its programmes, a group from Murang’a county has taken a different path.

Some young people have formed a group dubbed Friends of Ruto and have thrown their weight behind the government, saying many have been sitting back and waiting for the state to provide jobs, which has left them frustrated.

They said the government has created numerous opportunities they can take exploit to uplift their lives instead of waiting to join the crowded white collar jobs field.

“As youth, we have decided to put our energy into something more productive and which can help us instead of projecting hate to the government,” member Ambrose Manyeki said.

He said a large number of young people spend their time festering in their bitterness against the government instead of taking proactive steps to help themselves.

Manyeki cited government programmes such as the tree planting programme that aims at growing 15 billion trees by 2032, saying it provides a huge opportunity for young people willing to participate.

He further cited other environmental conservation programmes such as the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration project launched by the President in March this year.

The project has so far provided jobs to about 62,000 youths, who are engaged in cleaning rivers in the city, constructing new sewer lines, building social housing units and managing solid waste disposal.

“So many youths have benefited from these programmes but those who sit back and wait for formal jobs will continue to be bitter while hurling insults at leaders on social media,” Manyeki said. 

He spoke while the youth were being trained on seedlings grafting at a private nursery in Punda Milia, Maragua, on Saturday.

“There are so many opportunities to make a living and we have decided to be proactive. Learning to graft seedlings will ensure the fruit trees we plant are high-yielding and create a sustainable income for us,” Manyeki said.

Virginia Wahu underscored the need for the youth to align with government policies that promote technical job opportunities.

She said thousands of young people have travelled abroad for work and are supporting themselves and their families.

Ambrose Manyeki, a member of Friends of Ruto group, during a training session at a private nursery in Punda Milia, Maragua./ALICE WAITHERA

More than 400,000 Kenyan youths have benefited from government-placements abroad over the last two years, with more than three million Kenyans working in the diaspora.

Others, Wahu said, have acquired jobs in the affordable housing sector, providing them with an income while raising their skills.

In July, President William Ruto announced that more than 320,000 youths have been employed in affordable housing projects across the country, offering them a lifeline.

“The government has made clear efforts to empower Kenyans. It's now upon us to take advantage of the opportunities to better our lives,” Wahu said.

Elizabeth Gathoni said agriculture is a priority sector for the government and farmers stand to benefit from numerous efforts to subsidise the sector and expand markets for agricultural products.

“If we invest in fruit trees, we will also be supporting the food security agenda while supporting ourselves,” she said.

Gathoni said they will continue to undergo training to build their capacity and raise their chances to reaping off government programmes.

She said the country reached a new low when goons targeted businesses that are crucial to the economy and provide thousands of jobs in the Mt Kenya region during the Sabasaba protests.

The protests saw traders incur losses amounting to millions of shillings after their businesses were looted and others set ablaze.

“As youth, we cannot continue allowing ourselves to be used to commit such atrocities, which in turn makes it more difficult for us to get jobs. It’s time to rise up and do something for ourselves”.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The youths who have formed a group dubbed Friends of Ruto have thrown their support behind the government, saying many have been sitting back and waiting for the state to provide jobs.

 They said the government has created numerous opportunities they can exploit to upgrade their lives instead of waiting to join the crowded white collar jobs field. The government, they said, has made clear efforts to empower Kenyans and its upon them to take advantage of the opportunities to better their lives.