Did unemployment start with me? Ruto to critics

President William Ruto has questioned claims that youth unemployment in the country is a problem unique to his administration. 

Speaking in Kilimani, Nairobi, on Wednesday, the president pushed back at critics, asking whether joblessness had begun only after he took office.

“I want to ask you, do you mean to tell me that all young people had jobs before I became president? You mean to tell me that unemployment came into play when I became president?” Ruto posed.

He said unemployment among the youth has long existed, and it is unfair to suggest that his government created the problem. 

Instead, he said, his administration is the first to take deliberate steps to address it.

Ruto noted that over 600,000 young people have been employed under his government through different programs, including affordable housing, digital jobs and foreign work placements.

“The biggest challenge facing Kenya is that many young people have finished school but have no jobs,” he said. 

He emphasised the importance of long-term planning and peace to foster sustainable employment. 

“The youth cannot get jobs if we are going to loot or destroy businesses and public property. They will get jobs if we make a plan.”

Ruto highlighted the Affordable Housing Programme, which he said currently employs 320,000 young people. 

He described the initiative as both a housing and employment solution. 

“I said we will have solutions for these young people. Right now, we have 320,000 youths working in the affordable housing programme,” he said.

In addition to construction jobs, Ruto highlighted the country’s expanding digital economy, which now employs 130,000 young people. 

He also stated that 400,000 young Kenyans are working abroad through bilateral labour agreements his administration has secured with foreign governments.

“In the last two years, 320,000 are in affordable housing, 400,000 are in other sectors in different countries, and almost 200,000 are in digital jobs,” he said. 

“That is how we are going to create opportunities for young people to work.”

The president insisted that his track record on employment speaks for itself. 

“I have intentionally made sure that the young people have jobs. My work speaks for itself,” he said.

He also criticised political opponents for misleading the youth about unemployment, warning that incitement and misinformation will not solve the issue.

“I urge my critics not to deceive or incite the youth about unemployment. This issue cannot be sorted out in one day,” Ruto said. 

“I am working on it now. For the first time, we have a plan to solve unemployment.”