Gov't announces nationwide rollout of Climate Worx programme

President William Ruto has announced the rollout of two major youth empowerment programmes, signalling a renewed push by his administration to tackle unemployment and promote entrepreneurship among young Kenyans.

Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, the Head of State unveiled the NYOTA Project and the nationwide expansion of the Climate Worx programme, both targeting tens of thousands of youths across the country.

The NYOTA Project, which rides on the Hustler Fund platform, has already recorded over one million applicants for its business support component.

The initiative targets at least 70 youth in every ward and seeks to equip them with seed capital, business training, and market linkages.

"We have committed Sh5 billion in grants to support 100,000 young people, each receiving Sh50,000 to start their entrepreneurial journey by August this year," President Ruto said.

The Head of State also announced the nationwide rollout of Climate Worx, a social protection programme designed to engage over 110,000 youth in community-based climate resilience projects.

Initially piloted in Nairobi, the programme is now being expanded to all 47 counties.

Under Climate Worx, youth will be involved in the construction of access roads, tree planting, and environmental sanitation, particularly within informal settlements.

The President said the programme not only provides short-term income but also acts as a springboard into long-term opportunities.

"Through Climate Worx, we are offering more than just a paycheck. We are building pathways to self-reliance, whether through business, education, or employment," he stated.

In a nod to his administration’s broader economic agenda, President Ruto underscored the importance of the Blue Economy as a key driver of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

He called for the full exploitation of Kenya’s marine resources, citing their potential for job creation, food security, revenue generation, and rural development.

"Many countries have transformed their economies through the Blue Economy. It’s time Kenya did the same," he said.

The President’s announcements have drawn comparisons to the defunct Kazi Mtaani programme, which provided short-term employment to thousands of youths during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the new initiatives appear to have a broader scope and a more sustainable framework.

As the country marks 62 years of self-rule, the Ruto administration is betting on youth-driven programmes to power its economic transformation agenda, combining enterprise, environment, and innovation as the new frontier for national development.