Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating youth unemployment a challenge he described as deeply rooted in Kenya’s post-independence history.

Addressing residents at Gachie Primary School in Kiambaa Constituency, Kiambu County on Sunday during an Economic Empowerment Engagement, Kindiki outlined a series of interventions aimed at absorbing more young people into the workforce.

“Each year, more youth join the ranks of the unemployed. That’s why the government is rolling out three to four key programmes to address this crisis,” he noted.

Among the interventions is a major recruitment drive in the education sector. Kindiki disclosed that 76,000 teachers have been employed over the past two and a half years, with another 24,000 set to be hired by December 2025.

He also spotlighted the Affordable Housing Programme, crediting it with the creation of close to 300,000 jobs for young Kenyans across the country.

“This initiative does more than offer shelter it serves as a major employment generator for our youth,” said the Deputy President.

To further expand digital job opportunities, the government is setting up ICT hubs to facilitate access to online work platforms.

Kindiki also announced the revival of the Kazi Mtaani programme, which is scheduled to resume later this month.

Initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic under President Uhuru Kenyatta to cushion jobless youth, the programme was shelved in 2022 as the Ruto administration shifted focus to the housing agenda. It will now return as a complementary initiative to other youth empowerment schemes.

On labor export, Kindiki said the Youth Enterprise Fund has been tasked with supporting job-seeking youth looking for opportunities abroad. The fund will cater for key expenses such as air travel, passport fees, and medical cover, barriers that have long hindered access to overseas employment.

“No young Kenyan should miss out on a job opportunity due to lack of documentation or travel costs,” he stated.

While acknowledging the scale of the challenge, the Deputy President emphasized that the government is committed to making steady progress.

“The journey to ending youth unemployment is long, but we’re moving forward step by step,” he said.

Youth joblessness continues to weigh heavily on the country, with thousands of graduates competing for limited positions in a shrinking formal job market.