President William Ruto has revealed that the government will recruit between 8,000 and 10,000 graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to serve as interns in the ongoing Affordable Housing Programme.

Addressing congregants at the PCEA Joshua Matenjwa Church in Limuru Kiambu County on Sunday, August 10, 2025, the Head of State said the initiative is designed to provide young people with both employment and hands-on training in various aspects of the construction industry.

“We are going to hire about 8,000 to 10,000 TVET graduates as interns in our affordable housing projects, with the goal of transitioning them into permanent positions in the future,” Ruto announced.

He explained that the programme would not only help youth gain market-ready skills and income but also contribute to the government’s push to provide decent housing for Kenyans.

He argued that productive engagement of the youth would reduce societal challenges such as crime and the unscrupulous sale of land.

“When the youth are engaged meaningfully, they will not be selling land carelessly or getting involved in crime. We are allowing them to earn, learn, and contribute to nation-building,” he said.

The Affordable Housing Programme, a flagship project of the Kenya Kwanza administration, aims to address the country’s housing shortage while creating large-scale job opportunities. Ruto reaffirmed that the government intends to offer permanent employment to successful interns once the programme is fully established.

“This is not just about short-term internships; it is about providing a clear path to stable careers and a dignified future for our young people,” he added.

Since taking office, President Ruto has frequently cited job creation under the housing plan. In October 2024, he claimed 140,000 young people were engaged in the project.

That figure rose to 164,000 in November and reached 200,000 by December of the same year. However, independent assessments have occasionally cast doubt on the accuracy of these numbers.

The planned recruitment will target graduates from various disciplines.

Architecture and engineering interns will work on design and planning, while quantity surveyors and economists will assist with cost estimation and value engineering. Law and planning interns will help in land regularization and the issuance of sectional title deeds.

Ruto further noted that the government would collaborate with the informal juakali sector, integrating technical staff into the housing projects to improve workmanship and enhance the quality of output.