KEPSA CEO Carole Kariuki and Resident Representative, UNDP Kenya Jean-Luc Stalon, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to officially roll out the NextGen.Ke Programme on June 18, 2026/ HANDOUT
The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched the NextGen.Ke Youth Employment Programme, a new initiative aimed at creating structured pathways for young graduates to access jobs and workplace experience in the private sector.
The programme, unveiled during the 22nd KEPSA Annual General Meeting in Nairobi on Thursday, seeks to tackle Kenya’s youth unemployment challenge by linking pre-screened graduates directly with private companies for one-year internship placements.
Under the pilot phase running from July to December 2026, the programme will support about 500 graduates, including 250 degree holders, 150 diploma holders and 100 certificate holders drawn from universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions and other training centres.
The internships will be accompanied by monthly stipends, work-readiness training, supervised workplace learning and continuous professional development support.
The initiative is backed by a Sh2 billion allocation announced by the government in the 2026-27 budget and is expected to reach more than 15,000 graduates over the next three years if fully implemented.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, KEPSA chief executive officer Carole Kariuki said the private sector has a critical role to play in addressing youth unemployment.
“KEPSA made a strategic decision in 2008 that youth employment is not simply a government responsibility; it is a private sector responsibility,” Kariuki said.
“Businesses are not just job creators; they are market shapers, skills developers and the primary bridge between training and real economic participation.”
She said the partnership with UNDP builds on years of private sector efforts to connect young people with employment opportunities and equip them with skills demanded by the labour market.
UNDP Kenya Resident Representative Jean-Luc Stalon said the programme was designed to address one of the biggest challenges facing graduates, the requirement for work experience before securing a job.
He noted that nearly one million young people enter Kenya’s labour market every year, making youth employment one of the country's most pressing development challenges.
“This initiative is designed to complement existing government and partner interventions,” Stalon said.
“The aim is not to duplicate existing efforts but to strengthen the ecosystem of youth employment pathways.”
He added that beyond workplace placement, participants will benefit from mentorship, skills development and mandatory online learning modules, while employers will play an active role in nurturing talent.
The National Treasury also welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step towards strengthening collaboration between government, development partners and the private sector.
In remarks delivered on behalf of Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, the Treasury said the success of the programme would ultimately be measured by the number of young people who secure decent employment and improve their livelihoods.
“As we formalise this partnership today, I encourage all stakeholders to remain committed to translating this agreement into tangible outcomes,” the statement said.
“The task of creating opportunities for Kenya’s youth extends beyond the capacity of government alone and requires collective action for sustainable impact.”
The programme comes as Kenya continues to grapple with high youth unemployment despite growing numbers of graduates entering the job market each year.
