President Ruto unveils Sh2 billion NextGen programme to equip 100,000 youth with job skills

President William Ruto has launched a new youth empowerment programme aimed at equipping 100,000 young Kenyans with workplace skills, internship opportunities and enterprise support as the government intensifies efforts to tackle youth unemployment.

The Next Generation Youth Employment Programme (NextGen.KE), launched at State House, Nairobi, is a three-year partnership between the Government of Kenya, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other partners designed to connect young people with meaningful work experience and practical skills.

The programme will initially support 30,000 young Kenyans through structured private-sector internships, entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, life skills and workplace readiness programmes before being scaled up to reach 100,000 beneficiaries.

President Ruto said the initiative will help young people gain the practical experience and skills needed to succeed in the workplace, with 15,000 graduates among the first beneficiaries set to undertake structured, stipend-supported internships in the private sector.

“NextGen.KE is a landmark partnership between the Government of Kenya, UNDP and other partners,” President Ruto said, adding that the programme will accelerate inclusive youth economic transformation by connecting young people with meaningful work experience and practical skills.

The President said the programme builds on other government efforts to expand economic opportunities for young people, including the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, which he said has supported youth through enterprise development, skills training and employment pathways.

The President also highlighted government efforts to expand access to the digital economy, saying more than 1.9 million Kenyans have been equipped with digital skills, creating opportunities in the technology sector.

Ruto urged the private sector to provide workplaces, mentorship and practical experience for young people.

“I want to ask my friends in the private sector - provide space in your companies, mentor and support young people to get job market experience,” he said.

The President said the government’s Sh2 billion commitment to NextGen.KE this year was an investment in Kenya’s future and economic growth.

“The Government’s commitment of Sh2 billion this year is more than a financial allocation. It is a declaration of confidence in Kenya’s future,” he said.

President Ruto said the government intends to scale up funding for the initiative, with resources expected to grow to Sh2 billion next year and further increase to Sh5 billion as collaboration with development partners strengthens.

He encouraged young people to focus on skills development, saying their first jobs should be viewed as opportunities to learn and build their careers.