Raila to Ruto: You're let down to jobless youths

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has accused President William Ruto's government of failing to give millions of youths jobs he promised them during campaigns.

The opposition chief, who on Saturday released a detailed performance index for the Kenya Kwanza administration, claimed that Ruto has reneged on his jobs promise.

Raila said the government is instead harassing youths especially in central Kenya on claims of indulging in alcohol yet they have no jobs.

''In central, youths are being harassed on claims of being drunkards, they are being arrested and jailed,'' Raila claimed.

''They are drinking alcohol because there are no jobs, you are punishing someone and you have not given them jonbs.''

He accused Ruto of scrapping the Kazi Mtaani initiative under Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime terming the move ill advised.

''President Uhuru had retained this programme to give youths jobs but we have seen this government doing away with that,'' he said.

President Ruto had during campaigns promised to create at least 1 million jobs every year for the millions of jobless Kenyans through affordable housing, value addition and manufacturing.

But Raila said the President has turned a blind eye to his campaign promises and completely let down millions of Kenyans who bought his jobs narrative.

''The language they were speaking during the campaigns changed immediately they got to power. In overall, all that they have tried to do is below par,'' Raila said.

Raila termed the opposition's assessment of Ruto's 12 months in power as objective and one that was guided by indicators.

''We have given a very objective assessment of this government, we didn't want to be biased and that is why we involved experts who include those at the universities.''